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Hoping for an Al Capone ending
Al Capone, supreme mafia don who got away with murder, several times, went to prison for life — for tax evasion.
The writer is a barrister and a public policy graduate from Harvard University mahreen.khan@tribune.com.pk
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Another 1990s style ‘operation clean-up’ has been proposed for Karachi, to rid the city of elements responsible for bloody killing sprees, which most recently claimed 100 lives in four days. The operation is nothing but a smokescreen to settle political scores, unleash ethnic violence and consolidate the hold of criminal mafias on the city.
These mafias run empires fed on land-grabbing, drug trafficking, kidnapping and extortion, under the patronage of powerful political quarters. There is a campaign to usurp this mega city’s resources so that the mafias can operate with impunity and grip the entire country’s economic jugular vein.
The operation is to be carried out under the aegis of Sindh’s home ministry, by the Sindh police that has been stacked with PPP loyalists over the past two years, with 2,500 new recruitments and 1,266 transfers. This fact alone militates heavily against any naive hope that an operation by the provincial police will be impartial, just or effective. This same police force has in the past been unwilling to take action against killers who roamed the city with impunity.
Najam Sethi, an experienced journalist and analyst, has observed that the MQM will be disproportionately targeted in the police operation. That is putting it mildly. Karachi’s middle-class population fears that history will be repeated, the operation will unleash untold violence against ‘Urdu-speaking’ neighbourhoods.
The ANP is also baying for an operation, lending credence to the belief that the aim is to strike down the MQM, its rival, rather than deweaponisation. Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, a senior federal minister in the ANP, had no qualms in asserting his party’s superior fire power: he warned that Pakhtuns are ‘trained’ from birth in the use of firearms. Bilour betrayed his confidence that deweaponisation would not apply to the ANP, as he threatened that in any violent showdown, the less ‘trained’ MQM would fare very badly.
Such menacing words are well-founded: in early August, MQM MPA Raza Haider was gunned down. His killers were never arrested. Throughout September, killing sprees left scores of innocent, ordinary Karachiites dead on the streets. The bloody climax was reached on October 19 with the Shershah market massacre. Despite numerous eyewitness accounts and documentary proof of extortion, the Lyari gangsters identified as suspects remain untouched by the Sindh police. Furthermore, the representative for Lyari, who happens to be from the PPP, is brash in opposing any police action against the Lyari gang, now as notorious as Al Capone’s mafia was in Chicago.
With such a tableau of violence, hatred and lawlessness imminent, the average Karachiite would probably be better off living in 1920s Chicago, amidst the daily sound of machine gun fire and body counts, extortion and political corruption. At least there was hope of justice from the federal authorities, who pursued organised crime and Al Capone’s multi-million dollar empire of bootlegging, racketeering and extortion. Capone could never be convicted of a single violent crime despite being a legendarily brazen killer.
Yet the federal authorities never gave up and for Chicago’s citizens the story ended well. Al Capone was eventually undone by two things: a US Supreme Court ruling that the illegal income of bootlegging was subject to reporting and hence income tax had to be paid on it; and the tenacity of US tax authorities in prosecuting Capone on multiple charges of income tax evasion. Al Capone, supreme mafia don who got away with murder, several times, went to prison for life — for tax evasion. If only history could repeat itself — in a Chicago-style ending for Karachi.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2010.
Reader Comments (30)
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A biased article. It would have been professional had the author had a peep at the other side as well——–the fact that such target killings were unknown before MQM was formed. A critical analysis of October 12? Just to place the other party at a parallel platform knowing that their past record has been very bad———— I remember last time when Nasirullah Babar carried out the op. the situation became so much better and calm prevailed so much that I could allow my kids to play outside. Before the op I kept them inside as the killing spree was deadly and I am talking of Defence Society in Karachi.Recommend
No madam, no one in Pakistan is going to jail any time soon for tax evasion!!Recommend
Super article and great analogy, Al Capone drew his powers from state inefficiency / corruption and was a beneficiary of a unjust, unnatural prohibition legislated by congress. Karachi suffers the same malady where police, administration has been corrupted and state patronage of violence against others and its own people has created this gun and drugs culture. What has happened to people like Bilour? Against the Taliban they are pussy cats, when it comes to Karachi they want to be the hunter! Karachi has no factory for guns or munitions but there is no dearth of these weapons, where are they coming from? Deweaponization is not the answer, we need to eliminate these factories of death.Recommend
Brilliant assessment by Mehreen.
It is interesting Mehreen has brought up the name of Al Capone, a Chicago gangster who had terrorised the city by his mafia activities by exterminating his opponents. People were scared to come forward to give witness in the court.
Karachi is worst than what Chicago was in Al Capone’s days. Karachi’s Al Capone has instilled fear in the people so much that no one is willing to come out as a witness in the court. The mafiosi activities of Karachi’s Al Capone continue unabated.
Perhaps one day modern Al Capone of Karachi is arraigned.Recommend
Excellent analysis of the situation. Sensible and impartial people know what’s going in Karachi and it’s not just a MQM-ANP fray but have more facets and dimensions than what is being portrayed through media. The Third partner is very actively involved and playing a far deadly game than other two. On the other hand Bilour should refrain from issuing such stupid and volatile statements which will elevate public anger and political polarization in Karachi. I think ANP should lift arms first in their own province against those terrorists who are killing their own brothers and due to that danger alone the brave ANP leaders are not able to go to own constituency and in many cases their own homes. I hope those 40 thousands rifles which were distributed free in KPK last year to their own people in the name of self security are not sent to Karachi. Then we see, God forbid, a much bigger calamity in future than ever witnessed in Pakistan.
Now we should know who will fight this war against local Al Capones in Karachi. In this case Federal Agent Elliot Ness is Rehman Malik and local “incorruptible” officer Jimmy Malone is Zulfiqar Mirza !! God Bless Karachi and Pakistan.Recommend
Grog angry!! Brouagh! MQM-good! PPP-bad! ANP-bad! Aargh! Grog eat food! Grog has masters from Harvard!
This article was Neanderthal reasoning or was it Cro-Magnon?
This is the Opinion section, granted, but get a grip, Ms. Beck.
@ArifQ: Against the Taliban they are pussycats? I daresay it is the ANP, not the MQM, that has borne most of the brunt of the Taliban’s wrath. The ANP was against the Taliban before even the US was. Point to ponder.Recommend
@Ms. Khan @Watchdog has pointed out that you have to be clear headed on who the real Al Capones are. Who is weaponizing Karachi? Is it target killing and killing for extortion?
Print and electronic media teams need to join hands and focus on fact finding investigative journalism. I appreciate your and your editor’s professional courage to go to the extent you two have gone. A little more courage is required to come up with indisputable evidence to expose and punish the real culprits. Someone has to take the initiative. Why not Tribune?Recommend
@Umar: ANP has suffered tremendous losses, we respect their principled stand and wish them best fortunes in their battle of ideology. But then, they are fighting for their rights in their home against their own brothers, then why the belligerent posture for Karachi? Does ethnicity change principles? Remember, Mr. Bilour is a Federal Minister elected from KPK, he should show more restraint and being a seasoned politician some maturity.Recommend
Pakistan has become a tax free haven for criminals, with enough loopholes to facilitate them in transfer of their Bhatta to their favorite hideouts in Gulf and UK. I agree with Meekal nobody in this country of any consequence has ever been caught for tax evasion. How else do you think the over Rs 700 Billion is pilfered by FBR. In Karachi there is enough water that can be supplied through tankers owned by the mafia, but the same does not flow through water taps. Evrybody is involved, the Cantonment Board, City Government and of course those in power, be they politicians or khakis.Recommend
It is depicting the pinnacle of lawlesness in our country being covertly abetted by some big official stake holders.
Karachi should be announced as a province since all efforts to forge peaceful coexistance has failed.Same goes to Saraiki belt of south punjab and Hazara belt of KPK.
Operation should be lead by Sind Rangers and thorough cleansing of hooligans should be the ultimate objective with subsequent judicial trial of political masters who are behind the scene active.Recommend
Ms Khan i really enjoyed your article last week but this one, not so much. You seem to be painting MQM as some pious political entity that is left waiting with trepidation the impending assault by the PPP appointed police and rangers, in the guise of a clean up sweep. Also you mentioned ANP’s self proclaimed prowess pertaining to all matters violent. Things may be as you see them but when it comes to MQM i can’t help but invoke “live by the sword, die by the sword”. The party that has never shied away from the politics of intimidation, now faces what it has dished out many a times to it’s political foes. I say this not because i find PPP or ANP to be the parties of reason and rightousness but merely to point out that you reap what you sow, and that might is not always right. We as a society seem partial to ends over means and our politicians certainly believe in achieving their ends by any means necessary, but we forget that their is always a price to be paid, we are reminded every day by the nameless and faceless suicide bombers the price we are paying for letting Zia politicize religion. So whatever is planted by force shall be uprooted by force, a lesson our politicians will do well to learn.Recommend
Mehreen Excellent article, but I’m afraid in Karachi there are hundreds of Al Capone and their fathers, I’m living in Chicago and I know Al Capone history I’ve seen his properties, and know his corruption worth at that time. Believe me his any property is not beautiful or worth more than our Transport Mafia, Land Mafia, Drug Mafia, Ammunition Mafia. They are fathers of Al Capone.
Anyone can bring to Justice for Al Capone kind Mafia’s BUT It will be impossible if our law enforcement agencies and judiciary controlled by Feudal Lords.Recommend
And every Mafia want to eliminate MQM and it’s supporters from Karachi, because MQM is the only Iron wall to capture Karachi, BECAUSE CAPTURE Karachi is Capture Pakistan, Easily Capture All businesses and activities in Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, mean ALL (ISTAN) can be control by one spot, which is KARACHI.
All Pakistani’s must understand, you have to respect the local people say, their mandate than you can win the war. under world criminals and other Mafia Nexus are just to destroy Pakistan specially Karachi.Recommend
MQM is time and again victimised for raising its voice against the corrupt feudal system in the country. No other party or individual except for the MQM is prepared to raise their voice against the injustice, selfishness and unethical practise of violation of human rights..
Long live MQM.Recommend
Although I condemn ANP’s ethno-linguistic and hate-mongering politics but the way this writer has exonerated MQM is deplorable. Her biased analysis seriously undermines her credibility.Recommend
so , otherwise you can get away with everything that Al Capone did as long as you pay taxes to your government wowrRecommend
I agreed with Mahreen. This is what the rule of Islam to say and write always true. The true Jihad. Offcourse we are human some thing may go wrong at least I can say that Mahreen is 98% true. Why we are not sincere to end Mafia like Drugs, Weaopns, Landgraber, water-tanker, Transport and etc. We should see the facts irrespective of any affiliation. MQM has done great job during his karachi Mayor ship and wishing to spread his philosophy in order to bring justice to every one and create corrupt-free country. Offcourse those who are looting country, how they can afford MQM. But message should reach to common people of Pakistan that our ancestor has created Pakistan and thier children must save Pakistan at any cost. So truely speaking it is the Jihad of present time. May Allah give courage to all who are sincere to Pakistan.Recommend
Excellent analysis.
The native Sindhis are too unintelligent to hatch any conspiracy bigger than stealing their neighbors’ goat. The Pakhtuns have been stealing from others over the last 10,000 years of recorded history. But still, Pakhtuns do not have the brains to plan a bank heist – they are basic muggers, robbers and thieves.
That leaves the Punjabis, the most conniving of them all, behind this mess.
It is the Punjab that wants to bring down the only other highly educated and high IQ group of people in Pakistan – i.e. the Urdu speaking people of Karachi. The latter group’s fall will allow the Punjabis to continue usurping Sindh’s resources just like what they have done in Balochistan.
I would propose dismantling Pakistan, merging Punjab with East Punjab, and getting rid of this mess once and for all time to come. Amen.Recommend
Naqvi you are my man, thats what every true krachite pray, we migrated twice just for this country and now these punjabis and pathans accused us of being terrorist. And for asma from london or anyone who support anp ppp and abused mqm!! do a simple litmus test, go with your family along with your children and wife to mqm area of nine zero then to sohrab goth and banaras and lyari.Recommend
Good Article.
On reading comments, I wonder how people are terming it as a bias article. Mentioning 2,500 new recruitments and 1,266 transfers in past two year is being bias? Or quoting the ANP federal minister who said that the “Pakhtuns are ‘trained’ from birth in the use of firearms”? These are mere facts which are indeed shameful. People recommending operations do not know that in the end, it is only the people of Karachi who will suffer. We have suffered in the past and reference to the comments of “asma@london” – madam, things did not get better because of Nasirullah Babar’s operation in Karachi – it was in fact the struggle of MQM which brought peace. (We can have good discussion on this).
Let me put it this way – you start operation in, what is now, KPK then you witness series of suicide and terrorist attacks in the country. Operation in East Pakistan led to separation. There is something called, BLA in Balochistan. Anywhere, the consequences were or are harsh but it is the patriot people residing in Karachi who did not respond to terrorists-like actions in the 90s. Perhaps because, and as also pointed out by the ANP federal minister, that we (the people of Karachi) are less trained in using firearms.
Giving facts is not being bias and not accepting the truth is idiocy. I strongly urge the readers to give comments which are not significantly different from the ground realities.
Moreover, it is just not about the differences between MQM and ANP, please think beyond – think for the people of Pakistan specially Karachi which is infected with target killings and political victimization. Parties should spread their political jurisdiction through sincere work and outcome and not through bullets and guns. Do the assessment yourself – who has done work in the past? Who looks more like a public servant in the parliament? Come with answers without being prejudice and this will greatly help you and all others.
Thank you.Recommend
The suggestion by asad is great. Do visit the mentioned places and see it yourself.
Good suggestion.Recommend
Do justice before posting comments and be neutral. I prepared comparative statements, may be you will understand or at least try to understand what is fact.
1) MQM is demanding operation against all kind of Mafias, while other is favouring them.
2) MQM during his mayor ship remained successful to provide water to most of the areas, while in others mayor ship it never happened. Once again tanker mafia is active.
3) Compare whose members & leaders are educated and are from middle class families.
4) Compare and See the developement work.
5) Who is using abused & threatening words and who is trying to ignite fire in karachi.
6) MQM always speaks for pakistani and do not use word like urdu speaking but leader of ANP always use Pahkhtoons.
7) I like Asad litmus test that must be done at least by one who wants to write against MQM.
8) Critically analyse who is trying to provide Inter Circular Train service in Karachi and who is against. At least all we know that Transport mafia has very strong root this is the reason why Karachi the Mega city still deprive of it.
9) Compare who is trying to take control of karachi by weapons and who is getting control by serving the common people and always elected by votes.
10) A lot more if you really go to karachi and obeserve your self provided that you remain neutral.Recommend
Superb article!From the Al Capone analogy to everything else in it,logic speaks for itself.
And for all those guys who find this article as being biased-please shun your unconditional hatred for MQM!Why to ponder and pay heed to something that you guys dislike so much?I mean just throw your ‘bias towards MQM’ in the sewers.Get rid of the abbreviation,as it does’nt make any sense to keep breathing in a thing which is nauseous.Does that lighten things up any bit?The party will die its natural death IF it has to,otherwise please learn to live with the fact that the party has mandate in karachi.
On a more serious note,and quitting my sarcasm, Mehreen has done a pretty good job of presenting facts and deducing from them.What can one make of a minister who boasts of his party’s(or rather his community’s) fighting skills on television?Won’t it lead to hatred and discord?Also,when the evidences against the mafia gangs are ample,then why are’nt actions taken against them?The simplest of answers is that the political bigshots are patronizing them.But then what can be done as we are habitual of DENIAL.It is merely denial which makes people term the article as biased because there are no answers to facts which are hard to swallow.Recommend
I had been in the then NWFP for a long time. There is no Middle Class. On the extreme is the poverty and at the other end the most richest, ladlord, cultured and educated class.
During the regime of Bhutto while a wave of awakening arose in the poor class the elite channelised and diverted it towards other big cities like Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi with the instructions to capture every government land, jobs, resources and live in these towns as if they were the owners. The poor were fully exploited. The main idea behind it was to get rid of the rage of the lower class. Do you see that none amongst the Elite of Pakhtoons migrated to these towns but only the poor class i.e. coblers, bearers, taxi/rickshaw drivers etc. etc. Now the migrated ones are in infriority complex and have in their mind to dominate or at least to become an equal class saying “Yeh tumharai baap ka hai, hum Pakistani naheen”?. The Lord’s class is at their back so that they may not look back towards them.Recommend
An excellent article. People cannot get over their bias against the middle class particularly Zardari lovers like @Umar who routinely scours the internet for such articles to defend corruption and fake degrees.
Great analogy with Al Capone – very clever ref to the Supreme Court – the PPP walas are obviously fuming.Recommend
Great article…
The fact of the matter is the current situation is being created to divert MQM. Couple of points to be noted:
1) MQM has been growing as a voice of middle class in Pakistan and have earned respect in other provinces of Pakistan inclusing great Punjab
2) They have recently showed political maturity and have won seats in Gilgit too
3) They do have positive note in Kashmir and Kyber Pkhtoon Kwah ( Although ANP call themselves as a Pkhtoon representatives, actually they do not even represent Pukhtoons)
4) MQM has got so much attention on last couple of years, that the Landlords and Sardars of Pakistan have considered MQM danger for their rule. They are aware that they will not able to beat MQM in the next election
At this time MQM can not afford to be slow down and dragged into the regional violence.
The above are some reasons that all the anti MQM elements are ganging against the popularity of MQM.
MQM must act swiftly in this condition some things they are good and can do:
1) Involve the common man of not only Karachi but all the provinces of Pakistan and present the case to the people of Pakistan before another army operation is started to have a Killing spree in Pakistan
2) Build pressure via media and expose the criminal elements of the current govt in international media
3) Invite international Journalist into the Public meetings and have them witness the popularity
4) Invite moderate voices across Pakistan and present your case
5) Engage with Army reprentatives as soon as possible and present your proofs to them and publish them internationaly to world media
These are just some suggestions, other wise the massacre in the name of clean-up will start again and will push Pakistan back 30 years back and will give full hand to fuedals and sardar of land of pure.
Pakistan Zindabad….Recommend
A quality piece of writing. You have exposed the reality behind the prejudice that clouds any discussion of the Karachi crime-ethnic tension nexus.
Unfortunately too many people cannot accept the truth and prefer to rely on propaganda pieces and defend their stake at any cost.
Well done! Glad I got to read this article as I had missed it originally.Recommend
Totally agree with @Ali Khan
Excellent piece – very well balanced. I am Pashtun myself but agree that the ANP statement was outrageous and racist. They are projecting an image of violence and extremism of all Pushtuns. The only way forward is for Pashtuns to be educated and leave behind tribal conservative attitudes.Recommend
@sehar: ANP-wallah, actually.
Fizaaon mein lehra-ega surkh parcham. Its only a matter of time, regardless of how many of us you kill. “Demography is destiny.”Recommend
Pakistan number one problem is Racism, pople have to come out in the open and face the ground realities. Pakistan was gained on the cause of 2 nations theory, Forming Pakistan did not solve the 2 nation problem. Today, the 2 nation theory and problem exist in Pakistan.
Muhajirs should have a piece of land in pakistan that they can call it their province just like punjab for punjabiis, sindh for sindhiis, and so on.Recommend