War of words between MQM and Jamaat-e-Islami intensifies

The war of words between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Jamaat-e-Islami has intensified in recent days with both sides accusing each other of raising funds illegally to finance their political activities.

The Jamaat-e-Islami, a key component of the Islamic Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, has accused the MQM ministers and workers of extorting huge amounts of money from traders, businessmen, industrialists and ordinary citizens.

"In every bazaar and market, the MQM leaders and activists are forcibly extorting money in the name of donations, zakat and fitra," Mairaj-ul Huda Siddiqui, a senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader said.

"Big businessmen are receiving telephone calls from even from the Governor house to donate in the MQM's fund raising campaign," he said.

But the MQM, which is a major coalition partner in the Sindh provincial government as well as the federal government vehemently deny the charge.

"It is all propaganda unleashed by the Jamaat-e-Islami which is trying to divert the government‚s crackdown on the religious extremists," Kanwar Khalid Younus, a MQM‚s member National Assembly said.

"The Jamaat-e-Islami started campaign against the MQM as the government prepared to stop extremists groups from raising funds in the name of jehad (holy war)."

"The objective was nothing but to tarnish the MQM's image. But the government agencies are well aware that the MQM had nothing to do with any illegal fund raising. In fact the religious groups defy the government's ban on illegal fund raising in the name of jehad, including the Jamaat-e-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed."

Most political parties and humanitarian groups intensify their fund collection during the month of Ramadan when people just not give zakat and fitra, but many go out of the way to help the poor and those in trouble.

The political groups and aid organisations try to exploit this sentiment, transforming fund collection into a big professionally carried out exercise.

Newspapers are full of advertisements by various groups urging people to donate generously into their accounts.

In Karachi, Pakistan's commercial capital, the real contenders are the MQM and the religious groups, especially the Jamaat-e-Islami.

Siddiqui said political parties have a right to appeal, but they should not force people to give money.