IBA Politik 2016: ‘Ethnic divisions one of Karachi’s biggest problems’

Rangers DG Maj Gen Bilal Akbar denies rumours of 'settlement with politicians'

KARACHI: Target killing and terrorism are not the biggest problems of Karachi. Instead, the ethnic divisions in the metropolis which are exaggerated to maintain fear in the hearts of the public are the city's biggest problem.

This was stated by Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) director-general (DG) Major General Bilal Akbar during his speech at the opening session on the second day of the three-day conference 'The Politik 2016' at Institute of Business Administration (IBA) main campus. Friday's talk was designed to give a broader view on issues of security and law, infrastructure and utilities. The Rangers chief was the chief guest at the session during which students were asked to leave their cellphones outside the auditorium.



Commenting on the alleged slowing down of the Karachi operation, he denied rumours of a settlement between the paramilitary force and political parties. "There is no settlement [of any kind] but we are just waiting for the right time with complete information, as no raid or operation is launched without it," he added.

Sharing some of the recent successes of the paramilitary force, Akbar said they have sorted out 30 terrorist cells in Karachi in the last 27 months. "We have recently arrested a major terrorist of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan identified as Dawood Mehsud," he revealed.

Quoting a website listing the world's mega cities in terms of crime, he informed students that Karachi was on number six 15 months ago and now is on number 28, which shows that the crime rate has gone down in the last year.



The Rangers DG started his address by giving an overview about law and order in the city, and the defining the paramilitary force's role in Karachi. From the 32 battalion wings in Sindh , Rangers have deployed 10 battalions at the border and 17 in Karachi, which includes two specially trained anti-terrorist units.



Answering a question regarding corruption in the law enforcement agencies, he said the Karachi police are better than Rangers in terms of personnel strength and salaries but if they still fail to perform then the people can ascertain for themselves the reasons behind it.

Seconding Akbar's view of making things right in your own domain, journalist Zarrar Khuhro said to change the system, people need to change their lifestyles. "A strong political will is needed to make the forces work efficiently to get long-term solutions," he stated.

Earlier, in the inaugural address, IBA dean and director Dr Ishrat Husain said the university encourages students to engage in the context of the real world and exercise leadership qualities.

Need for mass transit

In the second session specified for infrastructure, panellists emphasised the need for a proper bus transit system in Karachi. "Building overhead bridges and underpasses in Pakistan is not sensible," said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MNA Arif Alvi. The lawmaker from Karachi claimed he is ready to join hands with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement to give authority to the local government representatives for the city's betterment.



Meanwhile, architect Arif Hasan was of the view that a proper local government system is needed to resolve grass-roots issues in the city of over 22 million. "People using public transport are victimised as the number of public transport vehicles has gone down to 11,000 from 25,000 in the last decade," said Hasan.

Urban planner Farhan Anwar said that the city needs large scale projects to cater to problems of transportation, sewage and water issues.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th,  2016.