My vision not in line with MQM's ethnic politics, says Musharraf

DUBAI: Amid allegations of trying to take over a divided Muttahida Qaumi Movement- Pakistan (MQM-P), former military dictator Pervez Musharraf on Monday said that he has no plans to revive a party like MQM which relies on ethnic politics, ARY News reported.

“I am propagating my ideas through All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) platform but my vision is broader. I have no plans to revive or lead MQM as the name (MQM) is a tainted one and has the worst reputation (among political parties) across the country. My belief is that the party should change its name and bring in people from all ethnic communities living in Pakistan,” Musharraf told ARY News’ anchor Waseem Badami.

Musharraf maintained that he doesn’t believe in ethnic politics and considers it detrimental for the progress of the city and the country at large.

About the popularity of MQM’s name and the electoral symbol of Kite, he said that MQM’s current brand of politics can only benefits party’s MNAs and MPAs but not the majority of Urdu speaking people living in Karachi.

He said that the leaders of both the two factions of the party lack leadership skills and vision to serve their community.

“They, with their myopic vision, can only get a small number of seats and will have to to enter in coalition with bigger parties and will be treated accordingly,” said Musharraf about the MQM-P factions’ prospects in the upcoming general elections.

The former military ruler was of the view that only a new party and a new vision uniting all communities will be in the best interest of the general populace of Karachi.