KARACHI: Asif Zardari’s visit to the MQM headquarters is being generally welcomed by residents of Karachi who believe it is something needed for the city but a mixed reaction has been forthcoming from the rural areas of the province.

But people outside Karachi are perhaps not as enthused. Sindhi channel KTN surveyed a swathe of them on the visit Wednesday. Some people said that the PPP has been given an opportunity in power after a long time, which is why expectations were high. But making the MQM a part of the government in Sindh could backfire. “The present conditions will return to normal in Karachi and the Sindhis and Mohajirs will get a chance to bridge divides,” said Agha Anis Ahmed from Karachi. Businessman Daim Rahimoon expressed what his community has been saying for a while, that they needed peace to go about their business.

A skeptical Shankar Lal from Panu Aqil had a slightly political take on the matter: “Asif Ali Zardari is leaning towards the MQM just in case Nawaz Sharif makes a U-turn in the future.”

Hussain from Karachi felt that over the last 11 years some Sindhi parts of Karachi had been ignored. “We do not oppose the development of the other areas. But the MQM should admit its double standard,” he said.

A disappointed Imran Bhutto said that he did not like the fact that Zardari did not offer condolences for the people who died on Oct 18 and Dec 27 but was offering it for Altaf Hussain’s brother.

Lyari’s Yousaf said that he was more concerned about the two parties tackling street crime if they put their heads together and came up with a long term plan for the metropolis. “People who live in rural areas fear that Karachi and Hyderabad are no-go areas for them,” he said. “But we have been living here since Partition and cooperation between the PPP and MQM will end this fear.”

Faheem Khaskheli from Thatta felt that he would be opposed to any power sharing based on the MQM’s past behaviour. “And now the PPP want to make nice with the MQM?”

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