Unending violence

Politics of revenge dominates in the city and we should deny our vote to all political parties contributing to it.

In what has become an unfortunate pattern, the city of Karachi suffered through its third strike in six days with an average of about a dozen people being killed each day. On March 31, it was the MQM that called the strike, bringing the city to a standstill with all schools and businesses shut. A lot has been written about the political dimensions of this constant state of violence and fear but it also has an immeasurable impact on the psychology of the city. Brave and hardy though the citizens of Karachi may be, knowing that death could just be a stray bullet away if they dare to venture out of their homes, takes a toll on the entire city. It can be hard, if not impossible, for a city to just go back to normal once the political parties decide that they have had enough.

Then there is the economic impact. For the last week, the economic hub of the country has essentially been shut down. Our economic standing is simply not strong enough to allow such closures. Citizens have to live without electricity as KESC maintenance workers are not allowed to carry out their jobs; since shops are shut people have to stock up on food and water. Ultimately, the rivalry of the political parties, apart from the tremendous loss of life, will likely end up costing the city billions of rupees in lost productivity and revenue. Periodic halts in the life of the city undermine Karachi’s claim to be a centre of commerce. None of this is conducive to the long-term health of an already struggling economy.

Partisans on all sides easily point to their opponents and blame them for the violence. But everyone is equally culpable. What started with the murder of one political worker, quickly spiralled out of control because the political parties decided that is the way they want to operate in Karachi. It is time we realised that the politics of revenge dominates in the city and we should deny our vote to all the political parties that have contributed to it. The only pain we can make them feel is electoral. Until they lay down their guns, disband their armies and decide that the best way to sort out their issues is through negotiations, the political parties do not deserve our support. It is the only chance we have to make Karachi a functional city.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2012.