Peace in Karachi is absolutely vital for boosting the GDP of the country
KARACHI: Karachi, being the financial hub of Pakistan, has the potential to boost the country’s economy, and yet, it is a victim of terrorist attacks, corruption and sectarian violence. We need to deal with the core problem and address it, rather than having futile debates about it in the media. The major problem lies in everyone trying to step on one another in order to succeed financially and politically. I believe all politicians should aim to benefit the country rather than owning limited areas to exercise their control. The Karachi operation started in September 2013, to restore peace in the city of lights and eradicate fear. While this has certainly improved the city’s law and order situation, there are still enemies of peace who just don’t wish to see this country in a good state. The recent incident of MQM leader Rashid Godil being shot at, has proven the need for stricter measures to be enforced. Despite the Rangers being deployed to assist the police, a point to ponder is the real motives of the perpetrators involved.
It is not an exaggeration to say that Karachi can easily surpass Dubai if the people of the city could be guaranteed protection and work together for the betterment of everyone in the country. There was a time when Dubai was nothing but a desert, while Karachi was already known as the city of lights. What made Dubai outshine other cities was the absence of the kind of violence one sees in Karachi. Peace in Karachi is absolutely vital for boosting the GDP of the country. Although this is not something that can be achieved overnight, it is something that needs to be aimed for in the long term and not just on special occasions when a crisis is faced by the country. Cooperation of all citizens is an utmost necessity for a successful operation to be carried out. During the previous government’s tenure, Karachi’s situation had worsened as extortion and targeted killings were rampant. As Quaid-e-Azam once said, “With faith, discipline and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve”. Pakistan is our home and if we can’t do anything for it, we don’t deserve to live in it, either.
Samar Ansari
Published in The Express Tribune, September 4th, 2015.
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