In some places, DHA looks more like a war zone and less like a housing society
KARACHI: As members of Citizens against Weapons, a citizens’ group working for a peaceful and weapon-free Pakistan, we believe that the only option Pakistan has if it wants to eliminate its devouring violence, is to work proactively and aggressively towards establishing a weapon-free society.
DHA, Karachi, enjoys a reputation for its well-managed and well-regulated housing schemes. Sadly, these environments have been destroyed by hundreds of armed individuals and groups, who live, roam about and menacingly drive around the roads of DHA. These heavily armed individuals and militant groups, often accompanied by hooded goons, blatantly carry and display weapons on their person, in their vehicles and in front of their homes. Many have pitched permanent tents, containers or pickets on public spaces. In some places, DHA looks more like a war zone and less like a housing society.
We urge the DHA administration to take the following initiatives and become the first gun-free housing society in Pakistan: 1) declare the entire area that constitutes the DHA as a weapon-free zone; 2) within the premises of DHA, no citizen, regardless of his/her rank or status, must be allowed to possess, carry, sell, store or display any weapon of any kind — licensed or otherwise. Place newspaper/television advertisements, as well as large banners at prominent locations to declare these conditions; 3) armed guards, individuals or groups in front of any house, in any street or any vehicle within the DHA premises should not be permitted; 4) gunfire originating from any house, regardless of the occasion, should be considered a violation of DHA rules and the resident should run the risk of cancellation of lease to the said property; 5) residents should be asked to remove all tents, roadblocks, barriers and armed guards outside their gates within two weeks. Those residents who do not comply with this instruction should be heavily fined and their DHA membership revoked; 6) all transfer, gift and purchase of homes/plots/shops must include an affidavit that requires the owner to abide by the gun control rules of DHA.
Naeem Sadiq
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2015.
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