Peace in Karachi: President to step in as parties fail to restore peace
Having failed to make any tangible progress in the endeavour to bring peace in Karachi, parties of Sindh’s coalition government on Wednesday ‘authorised’ President Asif Ali Zardari to handle the matter.
The president will now directly spearhead reconciliation efforts with all political forces – including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement – and has also been ‘authorised’ to take administrative measures deemed necessary to bring normalcy to the violence hit city.
The first sign of the new efforts was already on display on Wednesday night, with an unannounced and secretive meeting between Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad, Senator Babar Awan of the PPP, and the president’s chief associates. Reports suggest that an alteration in the recently-(re)imposed commissionerate system in Karachi – a system the MQM is deeply opposed to – was discussed in the meeting.
(Read: Let’s do it commissionery style)
Earlier, three back-to-back meetings were held at the Presidency to analyse the situation in Karachi where hundreds of people have been killed over the past month.
President’s spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that the decision authorising the president to hold political negotiations was taken at the first meeting of the Sindh cabinet, comprising provincial ministers belonging to the PPP, ANP, PML-Q and PML-F, co-chaired by the president and the prime minister.
“The PPP is sensitive about the situation in Karachi – which has been used as one of the pretexts to topple our governments in the past,” said a participant of the meeting.
Sources said the PPP leadership opposed a military operation in the city and decided to strengthen the police force and Rangers by providing them more powers and equipment.
“The president also directed party leaders...to not issue controversial statements,” another participant said. The ruling party has decided to contact top MQM leaders about its genuine grievances. Sources said the meeting decided that ruling coalition would consider bringing some minor amendments in the new system which replaced the local government system in the province, but would not scrap it.
President’s spokesman Babar said that, after being authorised by all coalition partners, the president is expected to act swiftly to tackle the worsening situation. “The coalition partners in the Sindh government also authorised Zardari to take any appropriate administrative measures to bring normalcy,” said Babar. He said that it is not clear if the president will talk to MQM chief Altaf Hussain himself.
According to Babar, the larger meeting of coalition partners was followed by another meeting of the president with PPP’s Sindh ministers. Aside from the Karachi situation, this meeting also reviewed the performance of the ministers.
Another meeting was held soon thereafter to further fine tune the proposals discussed in previous meetings.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2011.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly mentioned Senator Babar Awan as a member of the MQM. The correction has been made.
COMMENTS (19)
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People, please respect the national language of Pakistan - Urdu. People who disrespect the national language of Pakistan are unpatriotic. No wonder there is so much chaos and lack of unity. Its okay and wonderful to preserve and speak different regional languages but Urdu is the national language and unites the whole nation on one plat form and the people need to be proud of that.
Though president is not a party. Common guys, people are at least aware about this. Please do not issue funny statements.
Pakistan Partition Party is known for mishandling every important situation. They are leading Pakistan to another partition. Thanks to ill focussed and incompetent regime.
There is a difference between being clever (cunning) and intelligent. Had the newly acclaimed master (political) chess player been intelligent, one would not commit the blunders of the past. Pinning all against each other and gain as a result might be a successful move for now but in the long run it will be detrimental, as in the case of all those who feel proud of being the most clever and cunning.
killers are not more than political party workers...this is a bitter truth...not any simple citizen could tak epart in such incident...what do you say guys...so whoever jumps in, it does not gonna make any difference...
" Senator Babar Awan of the MQM" .... when did that happen? :D
@ghalib: and Karachi will be then renamed as MQMistan? Just wondering!
Too late . . . It is water under the bridge for politicians. Game over and Army must gaurd Karachi and find out who the killers are. Only the Army will be able to tell the truth as they have taken an oath of honor for their nation. Because this requires absolute truth and dedication, Its Army's job and nobody else's. Game over. Public has no trust in corrupt politics.
It is too coincidental that violence in Karachi goes up when PPP comes to power.
President Zardari sounds more like a Saas/Bahu out of Star plus dramas, he himself doesn't say anything, very cleverly he puts forward his different mouth pieces (eg. Mirza, Firdos Aashiq Awan,) once these mouth pieces perform their part, President sahab comes forward for 'marham pattie.'
I think, hands down, President sahab is the best politician of our time, from Nawaz Sharif to Altaf Hussain to ANP, sub ko choona lagg diya hai :)
I think we will lose Karachi like we lost bangladesh . Its all down to our corrupt leadership.May Allah help pakistan
Wow, what a trampling of the Constitution. The President according to our constitution is the Head of the State and not the Head of the Government. Head of the Government is reposed with the responsibility of running the Government and accountable for the law and order. President was forbidden by the High Court to chair governmental meetings and party meetings. I feel like a fool to even comment on it. Isn't there a PPP member who is halfway educated enough to notice this and raise his/her voice against this devastation of the Constitution and how shamelessly their leadership do it?
Churchill had said that if India would gain freedom it will be run by goons. He did not know that his prediction will apply to a part of India that will be carved out of it.
Peoples Party is creating differences between different factions of people living in Karachi pitting them against each other .They may gain in short term but it is weakening the foundations of country itself.They have to recognize that every body living in Sindh is Sindhi and has equal rights. They should fear the day when all other communities unites against them.
Do something now for Karachi before it is too late. Just keep in mind that these leaders have to appear before Allah, one day. Just keep it in mind.
I think time for meetings is over, Mr President !! Its well paased its sell by date!!!! What the people of Karachi need is an Immediate action to arrest the Mayham. loss of lives and disruption to daily activities of this city!!!!
It is about time that the govt with the help of all political parties including all political forces in Karachi should take concrete steps. They must stop the killing at all costs and punish the terrorists who are responsible before it totally gets out of hand. Too many terrorists using too many lethal weapons in Karachi.