There is intense speculation within the MQM ranks that the PTI government is set to tame its political ally in pursuit of Prime Minister Imran Khan's directives to take on those elements who had a role in disturbing the peace of Karachi. A senior MQM lawmaker, requesting anonymity, admitted that a move has been in the making to purge the party of some 'unwanted elements' who are linked to MQM London.
"The security establishment and the political leadership at the centre believe that there are some individuals in MQM who are still linked to Altaf Hussain. These elements will be taken care of," the source said, adding that "Prime Minister Imran Khan has very strong views on not letting those go scot-free who have been involved in destroying the peace of Karachi."
He acknowledged that the federal government has been reluctant to release funds for Karachi in the backdrop of serious controversies involving Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar and his alleged links with violent episodes in Karachi including the May 12, 2007 killings, corruption and his 'soft corner' for Altaf Hussain.
Additionally, Mayor Karachi's recent statements critical of federal government for not releasing development funds for the city have reportedly added fuel to the fire.
"Now, he (Wasim Akhtar) is probably feeling the heat. His recent visit to Dubai where he met former president Pervez Musharraf and former governor Sindh Ishratul Ibad is seen as a desperate move on his part to appease the security establishment," remarked another insider who is privy to developments in Karachi.
Insiders believe Wasim Akhtar may likely meet the same fate as other 'hostile' leaders who have either vanished from the political scene or have been sidelined. These include Farooq Sattar, Babar Ghauri, Abdul Rashid Godail, Tahir Mashadi and Haider Abbas Rizvi.
In days to come, an arrangement may emerge in Karachi, which, sources said, could be extended to the rest of Sindh, where personalities like MQM-Haqiqi chief Afaq Ahmed, Amir Khan, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Farogh Naseem, Ishratul Ibad and Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) chief Mustafa Kamal, who are reportedly supported by the security establishment, are given key roles.
Earlier this month, Law Minister Farogh Naseem's statement made headlines that the federal government was mulling over enforcing Articles 149 (4) and Article 140 A to strengthen local government system in Karachi.
"Let's not forget that Farogh Naseem, who spearheads the federal government's campaign to take control of the local government system in Karachi, belongs to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). So does Wasim Akhtar. So, it's not about MQM being sidelined. It's about MQM minus 'unfavourable elements,' commented a government functionary.
This is not the first time the federal government has become involved in the affairs of Sindh in general and Karachi in particular. Last month, reports were rife that federal government was considering imposing Governor Rule in Sindh. The numerical breakup of the political parties' respective strength in Sindh Assembly suggests that in the 168-member provincial legislature, PPP is the majority party with 99 seats followed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's 30 seats and MQM's 20 seats. The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) has 14 seats, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) 3 seats whereas Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) has only 1 seat. The opposition's alliance comprising of PTI, MQM, GDA and TLP in the provincial legislature has 68 seats in total - 17 short for an in-house change by a simple majority vote and secure the support of at least 85 out of 168 members' provincial assembly (MPAs).
But given that several PPP leaders, including the party's top leadership, are facing serious cases of corruption, money laundering, fake bank accounts and other serious offences, some circles argue that the possibility of the federal government pushing for the creation of a forward bloc in Sindh Assembly cannot be ruled out.
PPP's Parliamentary Leader in National Assembly Syed Naveed Qamar, who hails from Sindh, said while speaking to Business Recorder, "In Sindh, we are in clear majority and PTI is in no position to get any leverage against us by hook or by crook. So, I don't see any chance of the emergence of a forward bloc."
He further said, "Gone are the days when it was easy to topple an elected governments. Now, it is counterproductive and entails adverse consequences. And by the way, PTI lacks the team in Sindh to run the province's affairs."
PTI leader and Member National Assembly (MNA) from Karachi Aftab Jahangir concurred. "I think any such move would create problems for us. We don't have any intention to topple the Sindh government. Reports suggesting the possibility of a forward bloc in Sindh are far from reality."