farhat Haq

The sudden and dramatic rise of MQM (Muhajir Quami Movement) provides an important case study for the students of cultural pluralism. The rise of MQM in the middle 1980's was a very successful example of ethnic mobilization. MQM's claim that Urdu-speaking 'Muhajirs' (refugees from the Muslim minority provinces of the subcontinent) constitute a fifth nationality in Pakistan was also an example of re-definition of political identity for a community which had previously shunned particularistic ethnic identities in favor of a broader Muslim Pakistani identity. The rise of MQM has occurred in the midst of ethnic violence in urban Sindh, especially Karachi. The level off violence has not abated despite a so called 'operation Clean-up' launched by the military in 1992. A greater understanding of the factors responsible for the emergence of MQM can contribute to the larger literature on cultural pluralism and also shed light on the recent political developments in Pakistan. i On April, 1985, death of a college student by a speeding minibus led to rioting by the students against the transporters in Karachi. Within two days there were widespread ethnic clashes between the Pathans, owners and operators of minibuses and Urdu-speaking Muhajirs, predominantly the passengers of minibuses. ii The ethnic conflict between Urdu-speaking Muhajirs and the Pathans continued to intensify for the next two years. A group of young Muhajir students, led by Altaf Hussain, formed MQM 'Muhajir Quami Movement.' MQM claimed that the Urdu-speaking Muhajirs constitute the fifth nationality (Punjabi,