A little before 4pm on Sunday, excitement and the spirit of patriotism filled the air around Park Towers, where thousands clad in green and white gathered with national flags and a much-evident desire for peace in their hearts.
The participants of the Peace Walk, supported by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), marched from Park Towers to Teen Talwar. Their aim was to dispel the notion that the city was inhospitable to gatherings of peace and love. The participants had come with only national flags.
“This walk has shown the world that Karachi is not all about violence. Only a handful of people are involved in terrorism,” said former mayor and MQM’s leader, Mustafa Kamal. “This walk will prove to the world that Karachiites are peace-loving people.”
Standing atop a truck cloaked with banners bearing messages of peace, MQM’s deputy convener, Farooq Sattar, told the gleeful participants that the gathering was a historical occasion. He said that the majority of Karachiites wants peace and the rally was a victory against the city’s enemies. “This walk is against religious extremism, terrorism and sectarian violence. People should take ownership of promoting peace in the city,” said the leader clad symbolically in white shirt and pants.
He added that people abhor extortionists and target killers, stressing that Karachi’s peace is Pakistan’s peace. “Without peace in Karachi, the whole country would fall apart.”
MQM leader Khushbakht Shujaat, in whose constituency the walk took place, said that it was delightful to see people from DHA and Clifton out on the streets. She said that they have come together to oust extremists from the city.
The walk kicked off near Park Towers, which was closed for security purposes. The whole area was cordoned off and only the rally participants were allowed in. Around 1,000 policemen guarded the area, some of them keeping an eye out from the rooftops of buildings along the rally’s route.
While waiting for the rally to begin, people penned down peace messages on long white banners. Others danced to the beat of the dhol while national songs blared from the speakers. Youngsters who had brought their laptops posted updates on Twitter and Facebook.
Girls wearing dark green clothes clapped and shouted slogans. “We all want peace in this city and country. When there is firing in my area, I can’t go to college,” said Aisha Khan.
Businessman Mohsin Mazhar said that they wanted to portray a liberal, moderate Pakistan. “We are against sectarian violence and terrorism.”
At 3:50 pm, pigeons and white balloons were released as the walk took off. Men, women and children shouted “Pakistan Zindabad”. The chants soon took the form of patriotic songs, including “Tera Pakistan Hai, yeh mera Pakistan hai”.
Within 20 minutes, the rally had progressed to Do Talwar, where more pigeons were released. As it reached the underpass, the participants broke out into a thunderous applause. After an hour, the participants reached Teen Talwar, the final destination.
Local body elections
While talking to The Express Tribune, MQM leader Raza Haroon said that the party wanted local body elections to be held as soon as possible. “General elections won’t solve the problems of ordinary citizens. Only a councillor can do this for which we need local bodies in place,” he said. “The parties opposing the local government elections are not interested in democracy.”
MQM’s deputy convener, Farooq Sattar, said that the party has not given the government a deadline to hold the local body elections. “But we want it to be held at the earliest,” he said. The government’s willingness to hold elections will indicate whether it supports democracy or if it is merely pandering to the handful of elites opposing the system, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 8th, 2012.
COMMENTS (22)
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It is a nice step to keep city peaceful and this is a message for anti Pakistanis that majority of Karachi wish to live in bottom of a flag, not with nationalist labeled parties or 'taanga parties' who claims Karachi falsely. Know all men by these presents that the spectators declared their selves to be part of MQM and they liked such try....
MQM is the only party which is projecting liberal and secular face of Pakistan. In fact the type of Pakistan dreamed by Jinnah..
Karachi has been under extortion and bhata mafias of Lyari gang war who are now killing each other on the amount of bhatta...Just read the news of Lyari since the last few days and every thing will be clear..Those blind people who always put blames on MQM should fear Allah for their fake allegations..As a professional Banker ,I fully support MQM and wish for its more success...The only party which talks of pakistani only.....
It was a symbolic walk..congratulations to Karachiite..specially the silent majority for waking up and becoming part of something worthwhile and imp! .. Peace is the only way! :)
Obama received Nobel peace prize. Peace is a joke nowadays. MQM! the whole history of human race shows that peace surfaced AFTER wars. If you are not the ones waging wars in the city, point out those who do. You have been a concubine of military and democratic governments alike. You know a lot. Just dont want to share even when you are powerful enough to do so.
Only party with literate people who actually know how to run a government! Those who disagree can look back a few years when Mqm had the local government!
Reminds me of a funny scene from Munna Bhai MBBS when Sanjay D asked a startled orderly or an under-appreciated Janitor about where can he get the MBBS degree upon which he said he is thinking of becoming a Health Minister too.
Motto: MQM is a far cry from a word PEACE
@ NAWAZ, Mr ,you are that type of people ,who against any PEACE, you always hate the ellected reperesentatives of people, you should feel shame ,to talk like this, because you dont belong to this city, so you dont love Karachi, you should not live here.
We welcome, MQM move to restore Peace and confidence in people.
Well done writer
The biggest terrorist anti Pakistan party took out a peace rally. If you really want peace then MQM has to be banned and peace will return to Karachi.
We are shia We are sunni, We are muslims We are non Muslims, We are muhajir's, sindhi's, pathan's, memons, hazarwal, baloch We are Karachi and We love MQM......... For all the haters out there This is why we Love Mutahida.......
The walk kicked off near Park Towers, which was closed for security purposes. The whole area was cordoned off and only the rally participants were allowed in. Around 1,000 policemen guarded the area, some of them keeping an eye out from the rooftops of buildings along the rally’s route.
What peace? They had to barricade the area. This is only forced peace.
What a waste. Go march in Lyari and all the trouble spots in Karachi.
“He said people abhor extortionists and target killers... " O YES! we abhor You!!!
Lol!! Rally was only to tell the residents of Clifton and defence; that we are IN there too now. Save Your Souls!!!
this has to be a joke- today MQM brings peace rally, it will be ANP tomorrow- those who have turned Karachi into a battle zone are now trying to portray their image as civilized bunch... won't work
Now that they have got their system of choice, Karachi may have some peace for a while.
Are you serious? All the roads from 2 talwar and 3 talwar were blocked, we were prisoners in our own homes and you say it was peaceful? You cant show a peaceuful side when you forcefully close off all the roads.
Only party with vision! Good job mqm.