, 7 tweets, 2 min read Read on Twitter
As both a Muhajir and a socialist who believes in class struggle above identity politics, I want address this. While MQM is an example of an ethnic rights movement that turned fascist, it is incorrect to assume PTM and all ethnic rights movements follow this path...
... The MQM is just one ethnic movement whereas there are others in Pakistan's history, such as the National Awami Party. NAP was a coalition of ethnic (mostly) parties that combined were more progressive and pluralist than any other party in Pakistani electoral politics...
Despite each of the constituent parties being associated with a specific ethnicity, they saw no contradiction in working together, and they were simultaneously solidly grounded in leftist class-based politics. NAP was eventually crushed by Bhutto and the establishment...
... but it is a testament to the fact that while we should always be skeptical of ethnic politics, it does not *necessarily* lead to fascist militancy. While PTM is very different from NAP, PTM does seem to have the same spirit of pluralism that NAP had...
Moreover, the fact that @Aliwazirna50 is ideologically a Leftist gives me some confidence that PTM is not bound to the kind narrow ethnic politics that we have seen in MQM and other ethnic parties...
... Obviously we can't predict the future and can't rule out the possibility that the situation may change. Indeed if the repression from the state -- and the lack of support from 'mainstream' Pakistanis -- continues, then there is a possibility that PTM will turn inwards...
... but so far the PTM leadership seems to have successfully resisted attempts push the movement towards narrow ethnic nationalism. So in short: (1) PTM is not MQM, and (2) it is possible for ethnic parties to be pluralist and progressive.
Missing some Tweet in this thread?
You can try to force a refresh.

Like this thread? Get email updates or save it to PDF!

Subscribe to Fahad Desmukh
Profile picture

Get real-time email alerts when new unrolls are available from this author!

This content may be removed anytime!

Twitter may remove this content at anytime, convert it as a PDF, save and print for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video

1) Follow Thread Reader App on Twitter so you can easily mention us!

2) Go to a Twitter thread (series of Tweets by the same owner) and mention us with a keyword "unroll" @threadreaderapp unroll

You can practice here first or read more on our help page!

Follow Us on Twitter!

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just three indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3.00/month or $30.00/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!