Karachi Political Diary

 Karachi Political Diary

Mubashir Mir 

Karachi, the political and economic nerve center of Pakistan, continues to be a reflection of the broader national tensions and aspirations. The city’s streets buzz not just with trade and traffic but with rumors, political maneuvering, civic unrest, and a cultural melancholy that reflects the state of a country in flux.

Rumors of Presidential Resignation – A Political Earthquake or a Media Mirage?

For several days in early July 2024, whispers and rumors of President Asif Ali Zardari's resignation swept through media circles, WhatsApp groups, and political drawing rooms with startling velocity. This speculation pointed toward a seismic shift in Pakistan's political landscape. Despite the magnitude of these rumors, neither President Zardari nor the Presidential Secretariat issued any official clarification initially. This silence was interpreted by many as either a sign of internal deliberation or political strategy.

However, several provincial ministers from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) eventually spoke up, denying any such development. The Prime Minister and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership also rejected the claims. Most notably, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi dismissed the rumors outright in a formally convened press conference, labeling them as "fabricated and baseless."

Adding credibility to the President's continuing involvement, the Presidency’s website published proceedings of a July 8 meeting regarding canal infrastructure, accompanied by a regular press release from the Press Information Department. The transparency of this meeting, and its public documentation, seemed designed to quell the resignation speculation and reaffirm the President's active role.

In the age of digital misinformation and politically motivated rumors, such episodes highlight the critical need for proactive communication from public offices to preserve public trust and institutional stability.

The Waning Echoes of Altaf Hussain

Once the most dominant voice in urban Sindh politics, Altaf Hussain—the founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)—is reportedly gravely ill and hospitalized in London. Time, politics, and inner-party fractures have eroded his once-unquestioned influence.

His former party, now restructured as MQM-Pakistan, has formally distanced itself from him. Internationally, former allies have also begun disassociating, reflecting a shift toward localized, pragmatic political realignment. Yet, Hussain continues to release periodic video messages, expressing disillusionment with former comrades while notably offering moral support to incarcerated PTI leader and ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan.

His sympathy for Khan, though ideological opposites at one time, reflects the evolving political alliances forged more from common grievance than shared vision. Hussain’s political legacy remains contested, but his influence continues to echo in the hearts of some loyalists in Karachi and Hyderabad.

Motorcycle Number Plate Campaign – Policy or Punishment?

The Sindh government recently launched a campaign to standardize motorcycle number plates across the province. Though well-intentioned to combat rising vehicle-related crimes and regulatory noncompliance, the campaign has come under scrutiny for its implementation and financial implications.

Motorcycle riders, many of whom belong to the lower-middle class, are being penalized harshly for non-compliance. The cost of replacing number plates—reportedly between Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500—is a burden for many daily wage earners. Afaq Ahmed, the head of MQM-Haqiqi, has publicly criticized the campaign, calling it "exploitative."

Meanwhile, DIG Traffic has enforced stringent action, with motorcyclists being stopped at checkpoints across Karachi. Police conduct, in many cases, has reverted to the “traditional” approach—marked by harassment and bribe-seeking. What could have been a collaborative public-safety initiative has instead deepened the public’s mistrust in traffic regulation and law enforcement.

A Bhutto Renaissance?

 Fatima, Zulfiqar Jr., and a New Political Dream

The Bhutto family continues to cast a long shadow over Pakistani politics, but now a new generation is emerging from outside the PPP hierarchy. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Jr., son of the late Murtaza Bhutto, is preparing to launch a new political party with support from his sister Fatima Bhutto, a noted writer and critic of dynastic politics.

Sources suggest that the party will primarily focus on engaging Sindh's youth, offering an alternative to the established PPP leadership under Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asifa Bhutto Zardari. Zulfiqar Jr.'s effort to learn Sindhi reflects an earnest desire to connect with grassroots constituencies. Fatima Bhutto’s political debut would carry symbolic weight—especially given her past criticism of Pakistan's ruling elite and her refusal, until now, to join electoral politics.

There is also speculation that Sassi Bhutto, daughter of Shahnawaz Bhutto, may join this venture, creating a new "Bhutto bloc" potentially positioned as a counter to Zardari's PPP. However, ideological differences and emotional wounds stemming from the death of Murtaza Bhutto in 1996—and the family’s subsequent alienation from opponants—remain significant barriers to reconciliation.

PTI’s 90-Day Movement – Momentum or Mirage?

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) initially announced a mass movement to begin on August 5, 2024, but later rebranded it as a “90-day movement.” Despite the bold rhetoric, enthusiasm appears to be missing, particularly in Sindh, where the PTI has historically struggled to mobilize grassroots support.

Aliya Hamza Malik, one of PTI’s more dynamic voices, has expressed disappointment with the slow organizational pace. Former President Dr. Arif Alvi, previously seen as a moral compass within PTI, has chosen political silence, distancing himself from overt activism.

Reports of Imran Khan’s sons—Sulaiman and Qasim—visiting Pakistan have stirred some optimism within the PTI ranks. Their presence, possibly accompanied by international media, could reinvigorate the party's support base. If strategically managed, their involvement could lend PTI a significant psychological boost—especially with a disillusioned youth demographic.

Economic Distress and the Business Community’s Revolt

Pakistan’s economic turmoil shows no signs of abating. The FY2024-25 federal budget, largely shaped under IMF direction, has been widely criticized. The budget’s heavy reliance on indirect taxation, especially energy tariffs, has sparked fury within the business community.

Traders across Pakistan, particularly in Karachi, are calling for a nationwide strike on July 19, demanding relief from crushing utility costs and unpredictable fiscal policies. If the strike—backed by key organizations like the All Karachi Tajir Ittehad and FPCCI—is successful, it could halt operations at Pakistan’s two largest ports, disrupting the country’s supply chain.

The business community has proposed a 50% cut in government expenditures, especially criticizing lavish perks for top officials. The reported increase in salaries for the Senate Chairman and National Assembly Speaker—effective retroactively from January 1—has only intensified public resentment.

If the government fails to negotiate and respond empathetically, this movement may spiral into a broader economic protest, potentially catalyzing political instability.

Artist Welfare and Cultural Neglect

A pall of sorrow hangs over Karachi’s artist community following the tragic discovery of model and performer Humaira Asghar Ali’s decomposed body in a flat in DHA. This heartbreaking incident reflects systemic neglect of Pakistan’s aging or struggling artists.

The Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi—meant to support the cultural sector—has come under fire for failing to provide support. Humaira's case follows the lonely deaths of Ayesha Khan and long-suffering actor-writer Athar Shah Khan Jaidi, both members of the Council.

Although the Sindh government allocates Rs. 450 million annually to the Arts Council, there is growing concern about transparency and mismanagement. Justice Salahuddin Panhore of the Sindh High Court previously ordered an audit of the institution, but the matter has stalled in the Supreme Court with no visible progress.

A new, centralized welfare mechanism—managed independently—could address this cultural crisis. The state owes its artists not just applause in life but dignity in their final years.

Conclusion: Karachi’s Pulse Mirrors Pakistan’s Uncertainty

From power corridors to roadside tea stalls, Karachi is grappling with uncertainty—political, economic, and emotional. Whether it's the whisper of a presidential resignation, the revival of Bhutto legacy politics, or the quiet grief of forgotten artists, the city reflects the wider malaise of a nation at a crossroads.

The government, political parties, and civil society must rise to the occasion—not only to manage crises but to preempt them. A country where presidents are ghosted, artists die in silence, and the public drowns under inflation must ask itself: is this sustainable? If not, then what will it take to change?