Desensitised in Karachi's killing fields

Where the violence is leading to is anybody's guess, but it seems a lot more blood is yet to be shed.

Karachi is seeing red again as the city is gripped by target killings and “cannibalism”. Yes, I know the latter isn’t an appropriate word, but has anyone got a better way to describe what is happening in the city?

The death toll of the three days’ ongoing target killings in Karachi has climbed to 55 on Tuesday with 15 killings in last 24 hours in various parts of the city. And that is not counting the very latest figures of the 12 victims who died in Sher shah.

The police and Rangers claimed to have apprehended more than 80 persons allegedly involved in the target killing spree and ongoing riots. But unfortunately, no one in the city (or can I say the entire country?) trusts the law anymore as justice hardly prevails in Pakistan.

Bear in mind this is not the first time Karachi has seen such ruthless bloodshed. Over the past year, incidences of violent clashes have increased drastically. At least once a month, on average, the city has been completely shut down due to violence. We have seen three major bomb blasts and a steep rise in street crimes.

Karachi, being a commercial hub and contributing 65% to the overall economy has lost millions of rupees in daily taxes and foreign investments. Our economic structure is crashing like a house of cards.

The media has been awash with horrifying pictures and footage of the victims, covering heart wrenching scenes of family members mourning their dead.

But this does not shake us anymore.

Karachiites, it’s safe to say, have become completely desensitised.

When we hear “xyz area mein firing hui hai”, we breathe a sigh of relief if the incident is enough of a distance away from our homes. Hearing that 55 have died has no meaning for us as they are just faceless figures - when in reality it means 55 homes have lost their loved ones - homes that can never be the same again knowing just how they lost their loved one. Homes, where they were not mentally prepared to hear this news of death which may change their entire future.

Yes, indeed there are the sensitive souls who cry at the mere thought of their beloved city being in turmoil and who pray for order to be restored. While God may be testing us for our Faith, our government isn’t listening to these prayers for sure.

Trivial matters are discussed at length in parliament and at the national assembly, but empty rhetoric aside, I don’t hear reports of our country's leaders discussing how to strengthen our law and order; how to implement laws strictly which people will abide by, spending more on fixing our police force etc.

Where this is leading and how it will end, is anybody's guess, but it seems a lot more blood is yet to be shed. I can't help bitterly reflecting that this seems to be 'democracy's best revenge'.