Karachi bloodbath

There has really been no definite pause in the killings that have left over 1,850 people dead in Karachi this year alone; but there have been short periods of respite during which the number of deaths has declined. This period ended November 10, as 16 people were killed in the city, followed by 10 more the following day. Seven of the deaths were believed to be sectarian in nature. Two of the victims were journalists. It is hard to explain why there has been such an upsurge in killings or why such atrocities are taking place in Karachi. Certainly, all attempts to bring the city under a measure of reasonable control have failed. The violence has been continuing for years now.

We hear of an operation to be staged in Karachi. The interior minister has spoken of it more than once. Most recently, though, so has senior PPP leader Nabeel Gabol, who said that without such action — along the lines of the operation conducted in 1992 — there could be no peace in Karachi. Gabol also spoke of the ‘criminal wings’ run by three key parties in Karachi as major factors in the escalation of violence seen here.

This may, indeed, be an accurate assessment. Clearly, the criminalisation of politics has had an impact on the violence in Karachi. Somehow, it needs to be dealt with but other factors have to be considered as well. Sectarianism, ethnic differences and the hatred these generate all play a part in the violence that has ripped Karachi apart.

The deployment of Rangers has not helped; neither will the letters written by the city police chief to officers following the latest spree of shooting. We all know the police are able to do little. Such killings have persisted for far too long. A way must be found to tackle the situation but the reality must be faced, too. The situation in Karachi has grown out of control; it will not be easy to tame it. Tough decisions are needed but most of all, we require a strategy to determine what needs to be done and how.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2012.