KARACHI: The recent surge in violence in Lyari, involving the two main gangs of the restive town, is not just another attempt to 'advance' into the others' turf. This time, the gangs are fighting to decide if the people of Lyari will join the mass rally being organised by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on October 18.
On the one hand, the Baba Ladla group, is supporting the PPP, is rallying support for the demonstration and intends to gather a big crowd from what is considered to be the party's foremost stronghold in the city.
The other group, supported by the chief of the now defunct Peoples Amn Committee (PAC), Uzair Jan Baloch, who developed differences with the PPP, wants Lyari's jiyalas to abstain from the rally.
The recent surge in violence started on the first day of Eidul Azha and continues to plague the area, despite the presence of large numbers of law enforcement personnel across the neighbourhood.
Artillery fire and hand-grenade attacks have become a routine over the last few days in Gul Mohammad Lane, Jhat Patt Market, Mera Nakka, Afshani Gali, Juman Shah Plot, Rangiwara, Gulistan Colony, Bihar Colony, Mirza Adam Khan Road, Ali Mohammad Mohalla, Shah Baig Lane, Moosa Lane, Ghareeb Shah and Aath Chowk
"Some areas, such as Aath Chowk, have literally become no-go areas," said Abdul Hakeem, a resident of Nawa Lane. He said that unknown assailants start hurling Awan rockets around Aath Chowk after Maghrib prayer. "This has been happening for the past one week."
Residents said that messages were being circulated by the anti-PPP group, warning them not to attend the jalsa or they would be dealt with an 'iron hand'. "There is fear among the people and they know the consequences," said another resident, Mohammad Saleh.
Armed men [gang members] patrol the areas until late into the night, which has restricted people to their homes.
"It is almost the same situation as when the operation was about to commence last year," commented Sheraz Khan, who lives adjacent to the Jhat Patt Market. Khan added that the two main markets of the area, the Jhatt Patt and the Chakiwara markets, have been closed for the last several days.
Explaining the intensity of the political differences between the two groups, Khan said hundreds of people had attended the rally organised by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) last month. "The other group [pro-PPP] wants more people from Lyari to partake in the rally," he added.
The PPP leadership has asked Lyari's political leaders to gather a sizable crowd from the area as it is the people from this particular neighbourhood who can make a visible difference. "The jiyalas from Lyari are known for their zeal and fervor," said a diehard supporter of the PPP, Mohammad Riaz. He had just attended a meeting to finalise the arrangements for the rally. "Yes, there is fear but no one can stop us," he said enthusiastically.
Sporting over two dozen PPP flags, Riaz said that some anti-PPP elements were again active in different parts of the town and wanted them [PPP supporters] not to attend the rally.
"Some areas are affected but the clash is not because of the rally," claimed Lyari's only MNA Shahjahan Baloch. "Yes, there is fear because of the clash but a sizable attendance will be seen in the rally from Lyari," he hoped.
While both groups struggle to make their plans successful, most of the common people find themselves stuck in a situation they couldn't care for. "Why should we support any political party?" questioned Abdul Shakoor, an elderly political activist. "You know we hardly get potable water. There is power outage for more than seven hours daily," he counted the issues faced by the residents in Lyari.
"Let the people of Lyari decide," summed Habib Jan Baloch, the leader of the Friends of Lyari, and the close aide of Uzair Jan. "I don't think a big crowd will attend the rally," he added, saying that the old supporters of the PPP had not accepted the apology by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2014.
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In Which world are we living, still fighting, rest of the world is busy traveling enjoying, busy in generating creative and innovative content. We still have gangs? Our Poor Citizens are deprived of basic living rights, peace..
STOP all this and work towards for a safer Pakistan..