A city in chaos

The new spate of target killings in an already tense Karachi has taken its toll. A fresh sense of uncertainty has crept in with parents reluctant to send children to school and markets remaining quieter than usual. This adds to the rumours and the speculation already racing through the country. The element of mystery behind the killings, with no one clear as to who is responsible or why the murders are taking place, adds to the fear. At least 13 people have now died in two days with the city remaining uneasy and the threat of more killings lurking in its streets.

The blame game is on. The MQM has denied responsibility and instead suggested the agencies may have a hand. It has demanded that the killings be stopped. The prime minister has called on the Sindh government to do all it can to restore order. But this may not be an easy task. The provincial authority has after all been trying – and failing – to bring back calm since the start of the year. The killings that have claimed hundreds of lives since then have taken sectarian, ethnic and other forms. Their purpose may have been to stir up the orgy of violence which never seems to lie far below the surface in Karachi.

The latest round of violence is ominous. The danger that it could quickly expand is very real. We need to see a more concentrated effort to address the problems of Karachi. The accord reached a few weeks ago between the PPP, MQM and ANP, introducing a code of conduct for activists, had some positive effects. These need to be built on, perhaps by convening another conference and talking things over. It is important things be brought under control as quickly as possible given the risks posed by the present situation. All political parties must act with responsibility, avoid blaming each other and play a part in building peace, so that Karachi and its residents can once more enjoy the normalcy they need to get on with life.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2010.