The elders and other party members are aware that Rauf has a dominant personality.
The seat left empty by the murder of the outlawed Peoples Amn Committee (PAC) leader, Zafar Baloch, will not be vacant for long as the ‘elders’, fearing that the group might meet the same fate as its late leader, have announced that Rauf Baloch will take over the reins.
Known as the political face of PAC, Zafar was shot dead in September in Lyari by unidentified men. Like Zafar, Rauf has also been a political activist since his youth. But although he has been throned, it has yet to be decided in what capacity he can exercise his powers. The elders and other party members are aware that Rauf has a dominant personality and while Zafar always stood by Uzair, Rauf is believed to be someone who would think for himself rather than following orders.
Strategic appointment
Other names which were considered to replace Zafar included Habib Jan, Malik Fayyaz, Shahjahan Baloch, Mama Younus Baloch and Shahid Rehman. But the two leading contenders, Habib Jan and Shahjahan, were not a viable choice as the former is abroad and the latter is in jail. “There is a need to replace the empty post with a strong personality which is why Rauf has been chosen but we are still trying to decide what powers to give him,” a source privy to the matter told The Express Tribune.
Rauf’s appointment is not only to get PAC back on track but also to have a strategic advantage over the group’s rivals, Baba Ladla and Ghaffar Zikri. Ladla recently joined hands with Zikri and Akram Baloch to strengthen his hold. With Rauf being appointed in an important position in PAC, his brother Amjad Lashari has jumped on board to defeat Baba Ladla and his companions.
Search for beneficial partnerships
While rearranging their internal set up, PAC and its allies are also considering cutting off their old ties with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) .”
“Our men are being killed or are arrested almost daily but the PPP leaders do not even bother issuing a statement to express their sympathy with us,” said a source in PAC. “We are not bound to anyone. We have a right to join any other party and we can.”
Few political parties have reportedly already approached PAC and it is expected that the group will soon make an announcement of their new political ally, especially in the upcoming local government elections.
“Rauf is a senior worker and familiar with Lyari and its residents. He is the right person for the area and its politics,” said Friends of Lyari Chairperson Habib Jan while confirming Rauf’s appointment to The Express Tribune. “We [PAC and residents of Lyari] have had enough with the government’s indifferent behaviour. If PPP continues to ignore us, PAC and the residents of Lyari will be seen standing with some other political party soon.”
Emphasising the support PPP enjoys, Habib Jan said that the party would not only loose Lyari but others parts of Karachi, such as Keamari, Malir, Mawach Goth, Chanesar Goth, Pak Colony, Mauripur and Golimar the in local bodies elections. Among the parties being considered to replace PPP are Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Jamaat-e-Islami.
According to Lyari DSP Shakeel Ahmed, since Uzair has come to be known as a gangster, they have brought in Rauf in place of Zafar. “We do not care who replaces who. We have to do our work,” said the official.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2013.
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