Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr. Muhammad Farooq Sattar, who is also the deputy convener of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), was in the Kingdom recently to mark the celebrations of Pakistan's 63rd Independence Day. Despite his hectic schedule, Dr. Sattar found time for an interview with Saudi Gazette during which he responded candidly to a number of questions and spoke at length on a host of issues. The following are excerpts from that interview. Q: What do you think about former president Pervez Musharraf's trial under Article 6 of Pakistan's Constitution? A: We (the MQM) believe that the former president, Pervez Musharraf, should not be tried at the convenience of one or the other political party. The trial should be based on a principle. The MQM's viewpoint is that if the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) promulgated on Nov.3, 2007, was wrong, then the one enacted on Oct. 12, 1999, also falls into the same category. So, we want the accountability process to go back to Oct 12. 1999. So, whomsoever abetted Pervez Musharraf back then in trampling the Constitution should also be taken to task. That also includes the judiciary. Had they not supported him in the very first place, the Nov. 3, 2008, imposition of emergency rule would never have taken place. One party should not set a cut-off date in this regard. Any accountability process, if launched, should be implemented across the board. It should start from the first military dictator and all his collaborators. Q: Did the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz contact the MQM for talks on this issue? A: They have indicated that they would come over to us to discuss the issue and to seek our support. However, they have not yet contacted us. I must say that the major political parties had been playing around with small parties like the Awami National Party (ANP) and the MQM and had more than once ditched us. Where were these parties on Oct 12, 1999? They accuse Muttahida of joining hands with Musharraf but it is on record that in the aftermath of the 2002 general election, we showed our willingness to form a coalition with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP). It was only after the refusal of the PPP to work with the MQM that we decided to form a coalition with the PML-Q. Had the PPP joined hands with the MQM, the current political situation would have been quite different. We extended our hand despite a bitter past, but Shaheed Benazir Bhutto did not agree. It was only after 15 days of failed talks with the PPP that the PML-Q sought our support to form the government. Observers may recall that the MQM was the only party to have boycotted the local bodies' poll and opposed the LG system saying that it was not the business of the Center to interfere in provincial matters. At that time, despite all rhetoric against dictatorship, all political parties joined the bandwagon. It was only after the 2002 general elections that we became close to Pervez Musharraf. Q: What were the reasons behind the late Benazir Bhutto's refusal to work with the MQM? A: Well, I can only guess. Maybe, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto did not trust Makhdoom Amin Fahim. Or they thought that their constituents were not ready for that move. I believe that maturity in politics is very much required in Pakistan. We cannot continue to live in the past. We must move forward in the larger interest of the country and for the welfare of our countrymen. Without adopting such an approach, we cannot realize the dream of a stable and progressive Pakistan. And to us, stability is the most precious commodity for Pakistan without which sustainable growth of the country is impossible. Q: What are your views on the much talked about National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO)? A: I ask the NRO critics, where were they when it was first introduced? It was introduced after meetings with the then government representatives and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. It was the promulgation of the NRO that had ensured the return of Shaheed Benazir, which subsequently paved the way for Nawaz Sharif's return. Interestingly, the PML-Q introduced the NRO and now it wants to repeal the same just to oust President Asif Ali Zardari. As for Nawaz Sharif, I believe that he must extend his all-out support to the president as envisaged in the Charter of Democracy (CoD). I believe that the NRO will remain intact. However, any “suo motu” action taken by the Supreme Court of Pakistan may disturb the political equation. But as far as the PML-N is concerned, it should do away with the politics of yesteryears as such moves would only plunge the country into anarchy and instability. Q: What steps are you taking for Pakistanis living abroad? A: Well, first of all we will ensure their participation in the country's parliamentary process, which is their constitutional right. As for casting ballots, currently the weak postal ballot system is a major hindrance for Overseas Pakistanis in casting their votes. We are mulling an effective postal ballot system so as to ensure the participation of the expatriate community in the democratic process of the country. Besides, I have formulated a bill, which shall soon be presented in the parliament envisaging four seats in the National Assembly for Overseas Pakistanis. This is a very practical move and such a model is present in countries like Italy and Holland. The four seats will be allocated region-wise, one for America and Canada, one for Europe, the remaining for the Middle East, Gulf and Far Eastern countries. This way, we can ensure not only that Overseas Pakistanis have a say in the affairs of the country, in policymaking, etc. but that they will be in a better position to raise their issues on an effective platform from where prompt action can be taken to resolve the issues facing the Pakistani population scattered across the globe. And as a matter of fact, for the first time in the history of Pakistan, I have appointed MNAs on the Board of Governors of the OPF. Most of them had lived abroad and are in a better position to understand the problems facing the Pakistani community living abroad. As long as direct participation is not there, I have managed to ensure the indirect participation of the OPs to better handle day-to-day affairs. Swift money transfer scheme Following the example of Philippines and Mexico, we are set to launch the first phase of our remittance project on Aug. 21. In this regard, all the formalities with the State Bank of Pakistan have been finalized. Through this rapid mode of inter-banking transaction, Pakistanis from anywhere in the world will be able to send money home without any hassle and the transfer will take only 24 hours. In the second phase of the project, which will take around six months to one year, the swift money transfer through mobile phones will also be introduced. The telephonic banking system will facilitate the families of Overseas Pakistanis and it will also discourage the sending of remittances through unofficial channels like the “Hundi” and “Hawala” system. The system will help build foreign exchange reserves in the country. For example, the remittances from the UK through the banking system are $400 million and through illegal channels it is $3 billion. Our aim is to fill the gap and curb this practice. After the implementation of the first phase, remittances are expected to jump from $7.5 billion to $12 billion. And after the second phase, the inflow of remittances will range between $16 billion to $20 billion. Housing schemes Around 13 years ago a housing scheme for Overseas Pakistanis was announced but not a single plot was allotted to anyone. We have announced a scheme in Islamabad. In the first phase, there were 1,200 plots measuring 300 square yards each and costing around Rs1.8 million. The scheme required 30 percent of the entire cost in advance, and interestingly, all the plots were booked in no time helping us to launch phase two of the scheme comprising 800 plots. By the end of the year, possession of the plots will be given to the owners. After that we plan to have similar schemes. Q: What is the latest information on the Jeddah drug trafficking case? A: This does not come under the purview of my ministry, but I have talked to the Saudi Ambassador, Pakistan's Foreign Office, prime minister and the president in this regard. Fortunately, we were successful in convincing the KSA authorities that the real culprits are in Pakistan, and the authorities have agreed to consider the case. Now, it rests with the PM. As for the time the matter will take to get resolved, this depends on how fast the Pakistani courts deal with the case, as two of the culprits have been rounded up and two more are still at large. As soon as the court's verdict is out, we will provide the Saudi authorities with all the evidence so that the innocent people languishing in Saudi prison can be released. InshaAllah, when they are released, it will be the first case of its kind in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and other relevant departments are also working to streamline the process and to check the illegal activities carried out by unscrupulous travel agents who are playing with people's lives. Q: What is your take on the amendments to the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR)? A: We fully support the move and, as a matter of fact, have been demanding such an action for a long time. Actually, it should not be treated as Malakand. The situation in Malakand was tackled militarily. This belt needs political, social and economic reforms. Political workers will be allowed to undertake their activities. As for the security concerns, it should be noted that the military will remain in the periphery for around two years so that no untoward incident takes place. This time around, instead of a military action the government has opted for political, social and economic reforms so as to achieve stability in the long run. Madrasa reforms will also be introduced, which include registration of all seminaries, review of their curricula, proper enrolments and audit of their accounts. These steps are being taken to counter the growing militancy in those areas. Q: Despite being coalition partners, the PPP-MQM relationship at the provincial level can best be described as uneasy. It seems to be a constant tug of war between the provincial government and the MQM-backed city district government of Karachi. What do you have to say? A: The two parties have come a long way. The top leadership of the two sides have made it clear that reconciliation between the two will be taken to the next generation. However, the overall mindset will take some time to change completely and it will trickle down as well. As for the friction between the provincial and city governments, the two sides are learning to work together. It cannot be called a rift; it's a learning experience for both the sides. I think this is very normal in a democratic setup. Instead of heating up matters, we opt for discussing issues through dialogue. Q: The local government system is about to be abolished. What is your evaluation of the situation? A: Most of the political parties are suffering from LG phobia. Their vehement opposition to the local government system has exposed the truth about their tall claims regarding democracy, which is a bad omen for the future of democracy. They believe in the politics of dynasty whereas the MQM is the only middle-class party comprising educated people. The LG system envisages devolution of power to the grassroots level. The existing three-tier system is very beneficial for the masses. Q: Why did the MQM oppose the settlement of the internally-displaced persons (IDPs) in Sindh? A: The MQM never opposed the settlement of IDPs in Sindh; it just wanted a proper checks-and-balance system so as to ensure that miscreants do not enter Sindh in the garb of IDPs. Unfortunately, MQM's opponents gave the entire issue a new color and projected the MQM as an ethnic party. We always raise alarm over such situations but most of the time due to the bias against the MQM, people who matter, ignore such warnings. But the arrests of various militants from Karachi, justified our apprehensions. The Taleban or like-minded people are now very much there and they just need a call from their leadership to come to the fore. All political parties must realize that the prosperity of Pakistan depends on Karachi as it's the economic hub of the country. We are not only concerned about Pakistan; in case of Karachi's Talebanization, the entire region will be threatened. A number of criminals involved in bank heists belongs to the tribal belt and are supporters of militants there. A few days back, a bank transaction worth millions was traced from Karachi to the tribal areas. It is an open secret that the semi-autonomous tribal belt of Pakistan is a safe haven for criminal elements. After committing crimes, culprits rush to the tribal areas. Nowadays, criminal elements in the garb of IDPs are trying to settle down in Karachi in connivance with the land mafia. Such elements particularly the land mafia is behind the recent spike in targeted killings in Karachi.
