With dhols and dance, MQM brings out Karachi’s peaceful side

Without peace in the city, the country will fall apart, says Farooq Sattar.

KARACHI:

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 8^th, 2012.