Not MIA anymore: Gabol makes a comeback after 4 years

PPP tries to regain its footing in Lyari since the emergence of Peoples Amn Committee.

KARACHI:

Pakistan Peoples Party hoped to regain some of its lost glory in Lyari as MNA Sardar Nabeel Gabol held a public rally in Lyari after almost four years.

It was the first time that someone from the PPP held a public rally since the emergence of Peoples Amn Committee (PAC).

But Gabol seemed confident as he challenged the rule of the defunct Peoples Amn Committee (PAC), saying that the time had come for its end, since the people of Lyari were fed up with the law-and-order situation.

“I have come here today to spread the message of peace and love,” he declared to the audience at the Kalri Ground. “I am a follower of Bhuttoism and don’t want to create differences among the people. I was given the task of clearing Lyari for Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari by the president.”

The MNA said that he had also visited different areas of Lyari, including Chakiwara, about a week ago. “Now I will visit Lyari regularly. It is my area,” he declared. “The time has ended when they [the PAC] harassed people and compelled them to leave public gatherings.”

But despite his resolve, the PPP leader arrived amid a heavy contingent of police mobiles. Around a dozen of them were seen guarding the ground while SSP Chaudhry Aslam himself patrolled beside Gabol’s private guards.

The jalsa was organised by the area’s kutchi communities and was supported by Kutchi Rabita Committee (KRC).

MNA Gabol recalled old ties of Pakistan Peoples Party with Lyari. “It is the second home of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto even her wedding took place here,” he said. “Her first baby, Bilawal, was also born here because she loved the people of Lyari.” As the audience began chanting PPP slogans, Gabol said that Benazir’s soul would be glad to know that the people still supported the party.

He said that he had requested the president to provide 5,000 jobs for the jobless youth of the area. He also talked about the ‘development projects’ which had begun in the area – establishment of Benazir Bhutto Medical College and another university. Around 12 communities living in Lyari were given funeral buses, each costing Rs7.2 million. He assured the people that all the other communities will also get a bus each. Sindh Minister for Archives Rafiq Engineer, MPA Dr Saleem Hingoro, PPP Karachi Division Acting President Asmatullah, general secretary Ismail Brohi, PPP South President Khalil Hoot and other leaders and elders of different communities of PS-108 and Ps-109 also participated in the jalsa.

“The power of the PPP comes from all the communities living here,” declared a belligerent Rafique Engineer. He called to the people to unite and end hatred.

The PPP still seems to be walking on egg shells because the area selected for the rally has zero tolerance for the PAC. The time when the name of the party used to suffice for the people is now gone. The people of Lyari seem skeptical of the party. “It is because of the government,” believed Yousuf Sanghar. “Why did they support the PAC when it was established and why did they not address the public anger earlier? The leaders were missing for years and now they have come when the general elections are round the corner. I fear that the PPP will not get the same response.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2012.