Having many ‘sovereign’ and ‘independent’ states, the city of Karachi can rightly be called a ‘globe in microcosm’.
LAHORE: Many centuries ago, the Greeks evolved the city states system. Ever since, these city states have gone a long way in developing and strengthening democratic and political institutions throughout Europe. Reversing this order, we have somehow created many ‘states’ within a single city — Karachi. Greeks were innovative and so are we.
At present, the city of Karachi is divided into parts and areas on ethno-linguistic basis that have virtually assumed the status of independent states. So, having many ‘sovereign’ and ‘independent’ states, the city of Karachi can rightly be called a ‘globe in microcosm’. Each state in the city has its own demarcated ‘territory’ that is almost a no-go area for people belonging to other ‘states’. Each state has its own system of governance, hierarchy of command, official language and distinctive ethnicity. Likewise, each state has its own system of ‘taxation’, preferably the direct one, such as extortion, ransom and the like.
These states are at full liberty to grant anyone within their territory a ‘licence to kill’ and may impose upon any of their inhabitant a ‘liability to be killed’ as, under the state law, one may be presumed to be guilty until he is proven dead. As each state has always been willing and trying to extend its limits, therefore, inter-state clashes and skirmishes are very common.
The role of the Sindh government is akin to the one played by the United Nations in trying to resolve the conflicts between the states. It often remains either a silent spectator or a passive collaborator by paying just lip service during all the inter-state conflicts. It has always acted in accordance with the provisions of its newly-formulated ‘charter of reconciliation’, while using its premier ‘peace-keeping force’ in the city — the Karachi police. It is quite obvious that the government of Pakistan has nothing to do with these states; nevertheless, these states may have much appeal for students of modern political philosophy.
Mohsin Raza Malik
Published in The Express Tribune, December 14th, 2013.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
