Attack on PPP rally
The rally was organised by the Khairpur municipal administration in support of the new local government law in Sindh, passed a few days ago by the provincial assembly. At present, it is assumed that the shooting was carried out by forces in Sindh who oppose the law. Others suggest it was a local rivalry between two groups of the clan of Janwari. However, before pointing fingers and causing further suspicion, it would be wise to wait for the findings of the inquiry. The very last thing we need on our hands is the spread of more hatred leading to further deaths and incidents of brutality in the region. It is precisely this rampant spread of mob violence that needs to be checked. The masses at large need to be persuaded that violence does not offer a solution to our problems and will, in fact, only aggravate them. The results of such actions resulting in death can be seen in the anarchy that runs through Balochistan. We do not want a recreation anywhere else, least of all in Sindh, which suffers its own potential for political chaos.
The realisation that violence solves nothing will not be easy to create. Each new incident, such as the one in Khairpur, creates more mistrust and greater anger. The political parties need to show maturity and wisdom if hatred is to be overcome. Right now, this initiative needs to be taken by the PPP and it must act quickly before we see other such pointless occurrences of aggression.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2012.
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There is always deafening silence at the killings of PPP workers and leaders. Why do the terrorists only target the secular parties like PPP and ANP is an open secret while the rightwing parties are safe? Can anybody imagine the headlines if (God forbid) even a couple of PTI leaders/workers were shot? On top of that these killers and their touts always hold PPP responsible for the killings of their own leaders!
'The masses at large need to be persuaded that violence does not offer a solution to our problems and will, in fact, only aggravate them". How could you or anyone in the government persuade the masses to be non-violent when the sitting government violates the law of the land day in and day.They are never tired of devising methods to derail and negate the decisions of the highest court of the country. Some how Pakistanis were never brought up to respect the laws and the constitution of the country and specially the elite and that includes the military Generals who always thought that they are above the law. Pakistan's constitution is violated willfully even by the members of NA and PAs, some knew that dual nationality is against the constitution but they went ahead and hoodwinked the electorate anyway and still doing it, what kind of credibility they have. The common people will respect the law when those in the government, bureaucracy and military will show respect and abide by the laws of land.It is as simple as that.