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 13th, 2012.
COMMENTS (9)
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@Jahangir Mari: Jat has quite elaborately explained the military's preoccupation in ventures which are more important than internal security of the country. How can Karachi's violence be on the radar of Kayani as even operations against TTP have been suspended since Afghanistan has been asked to take action against them. The strategy to fight terrorism in Pakistan has been left at the whims and fancy of the military which the civilian govt is too afraid to ask Kayani the road map to fight militancy. Hope the proactive judiciary puts some hard questions to the military for its failure to contain terrorism in the country and its poor performance against TTP as thousands of innocent people in the country have been mercilessly killed by them with no visible respite in sight.
I do not understand, how people can simply just forget the most important and dead-least fuel of Karachi's problem, "Taliban". Either people have short memory or they do not want to bring it up. Taliban has Openly threatened Karachities. The reports from the agencies of Pakistan were all over the print and social media that how they are Raising the money and what are their plans, just a little while ago.
For God's sake wake up, have courage to raise voice against the terrorist organizations like Taliban and TTP, the gangs of Lyari.
Humble request, please DO NOT mislead people of Pakistan.
Remember Calcutta on Direct-Action Day.
@sabi: Well said :)
The oddest part is the lack of an official accusation. I'm not saying the people familiar with the area don't have a good idea. I mean the statements of officials working on it. Usually they'd want to name the enemy bluntly to draw the lines and get people on their side of it. After all this time, they have to know. If they aren't bluntly naming the groups by name, officially, on paper and to the presses... They're not going after them wholeheartedly and are most likely afraid to alienate them. If you're afraid to alienate them, the idea of actually stopping them and jailing them isn't exactly in your plans, either. In a situation like that you should want people to know because in an area like a city, like Karachi, they'd get their best information off the locals. The locals aren't going to be brave when fully armed men are basically hiding and only reacting. Reacting minimally, at that. You can look at shootouts and such and say "that's not minimal" and you'd be right only if the shootings were rare. Since shootings are the minimal, shootouts with no real gain are pretty much the only way to keep things even while still staying alive and chances are the higher ranks aren't bothered if it comes out a little less than that. That outcome is more like survival instinct of the lower rank. So that is not proof of actual action. More information, actual arrests and actual kills are signs of an enemy being fought. A whole lot of vague discord is more like a family feud, trying to keep privacy and reconciliation open as an option. Not criminals you want in jail.
@sabi: You have hit the nail right on its head.
It is a war of mafias under the guise of religion or politics or ethnicity.Mafias need protections and the best way is keep authorities away, is blackmailing in the name of religion or politicle victomisation.Karachi is a big city and there is lot of wealth too.Criminals from all corners of Pakistan are converged to this city for money making.Unless authorities reach to this understanding there is no solution to end this killings.
While Karachi burned generals fiddled [with PIA, railways, NICL, steel mills, bakeries, housing societies, marriage halls, ballot boxes, democracy, constitution, religion, terrorism, judiciary, media and minds of Pakistani people]
I apologize if I have missed something important.