The politics of reconciliation has proved to be a total disaster for the residents of Karachi as over 6000 people have lost their lives in political and ethnic killings since the PPP led government came into power. It is the responsibility of the government to guarantee the security of life and property of its people but the Government of Sindh has totally failed to fulfill their constitutional obligation. People within the government justify that had it not been for the reconciliation policy of the ruling coalition, these numbers would had been considerably more, a ridiculous statement revealing the incompetence and inability of the ruling PPP-MQM-ANP coalition to restore peace within the city.
There is hardly any crime that is not prevalent in Karachi. Extortion, kidnapping for ransom, dacoities, thefts, sectarian and ethnic killings, land grabbing, bomb blasts and what not, all sort of crimes are rampant in Karachi today. Turf wars and getting hold of major share of the extortion are the bone of contention between political parties resulting in violence in the city.
Brain drain and flight of capital is taking place at a rapid pace in Karachi due to the extremely grave law and order situation of the city. Those having the resources to move out of country and city are doing so. The metropolis is the economic hub of Pakistan, yet no one is willing to put an end to the killings in Karachi, the jugular vein of our country.
Scores of workers of various political parties are being killed on a daily basis. With elections round the corner and most parties having their militant wings, elections in Karachi can be a bloody affair. The police force is incompetent and politicized hence they cannot deliver but why has the ranger’s which has been stationed in Karachi for over two decades failed to perform? The military also has turned a blind eye over the state of affairs in Karachi which again is quite appalling and incomprehensible .There is no point of investing a sizeable chunk of the budget on defence if the life and property of citizens is not safeguarded.
The media too keeps a mum when it comes to the law and order situation in Karachi and has failed to expose those involved for the unrest in the city. Even the suo motu action by the chief justice last year on Karachi killings did not yield the desired results as the perpetrators were neither identified nor brought to justice. If an elected prime minister can be shown the door for not writing a letter, then some heads must roll for the innocent lives lost in Karachi.
Steps to improve Karachi’s law and order situation
• Firstly and most importantly there must be a political will to call spade a spade and deal the perpetrators with an iron fist regardless of their political affiliations and the repercussions that may rise after nabbing such criminals. Criminals involved in extortion, land grabbing, target killings etc seek refuge in political parties and sometimes even patronized by political parties for their ulterior motives. Therefore a loud and clear message has to be disseminated that the government shall have a zero-tolerance policy vis-à-vis crime.
• Pakistan is no short of upright, honest, competent and dedicated police officers. The problem lies in interfering and meddling in affairs of the police department for vested interests. If a free hand with total political backing is given to the police, I am quite positive that the situation can improve considerably.
• Use of latest technology can help, for instance CCTV camera’s is a cost-effective method for crime prevention and detection. The entire city should be monitored 24/7 and government can generate funds for the commissioning of camera’s through public-private partnership.The civil society will definitely contribute their share provided the government has the will to improve the city’s state of affairs.
• Effective use of mobile phone locators can help track and hunt down the criminals. Since witnesses remain reluctant to come forward because of fear the witness protection program must ensure providing fool proof security to the witnesses. Through effective and efficient investigation and prosecution, conviction rate has to improve.
• Ulema of all sects have to be taken on-board so as to maintain religious harmony and banned organizations must not be allowed to operate. The influx of immigrants in the metropolis should be monitored and registered.
• An across the board city wide, de-weaponization drive to be conducted & the city must be purged of all weapons, both licensed and otherwise. Smuggling of weapons into the city via land or sea must be prevented so as to curb the violence within the city.
I hope and pray that the city once known as the uroosul bilaad (Bride of the cities) and roshnion ka shehr (the city of lights) regains its lost peace and prosperity.Ameen.
Nice to see you raising your on such a sensitive issue. I hope such steps are taken but for now all of this seems good on paper but we should not expect such actions from the stake holders (which are our political parties) as it requires sincerity and devotion, and I am afraid I can’t see a single such person in current scenario. Anyways carry on your good work. Highly appreciated
*Raising your Voice
Treatment of Karachi Syndrome1. Military Administrative action with consent of P.P.P, M.Q.M and A.N.P. Result will be long-term peace in Karachi. 2. Military Administrative action without consent of P.P.P, M.Q.M or A.N.P. Result will be long-term hate with Military and Punjab in Karachi.3. Para-Military Administrative action, after imposing “Governor Rule with Neutral Cabinet” admissible to Sindhi, Muhajir and Pukhtoon masses of Sindh. Result will be long-term peace in Karachi.4. Civil war between Muhajir v/s Pukhtoon, Muhajir v/s Baloch and Muhajir v/s Sindhis in Karachi and Sindhi V/s Muhajir in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Nawabshah and Mirpurkhas. Result will be to choose any one (1) option from above.Memorandum;It is also possible that due to delay in decision to solve the Karachi problem, the Sindh game may go in the hands of Non-P.P.P Sindhi Players i.e. Sindhi Nationalists and other Sindhi Politicians.According to the constitution, military is supposed to perform under charter of duties and according to the law. Law and order is a provincial subject, without request of Provincial government even federal government is not authorized to order the military to interfere in provincial subjects.Therefore, Military Administrative action with consent of P.P.P, M.Q.M, and A.N.P, and after the approval of provincial government will result the long-term peace in Karachi.Otherwise, Military Administrative action without consent of P.P.P, M.Q.M and A.N.P and without approval of provincial government will be illegal if directed by federal government or it will be unconstitutional, if declared by military own self, it will result the long-term hate against Military, Punjab, Punjabis and Karachi will be the Booby Trap for Military.Therefore in current scenario the Para-Military Administrative action, after imposing “Governor Rule with Neutral Cabinet” admissible to Sindhi, Muhajir and Pukhtoon masses of Sindh is a possible solution. It will result the long-term peace in Karachi.Otherwise prevailing social and political trends of Karachi and Sindh will lead the situation towards the civil war between Muhajir v/s Pukhtoon, Muhajir v/s Baloch and Muhajir v/s Sindhis in Karachi and Sindhi V/s Muhajir in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Nawabshah and Mirpurkhas.However, in the end of civil war, again the solution will be to choose any one (1) option from above. Then why not to choose any one option right now?Anyhow, these options are still long term but not permanent solution.For permanent peace in Karachi intellectual, social, political, administrative and economical honesty and justice is a vital factor by all the ethnic communities of Karachi.Trend to praise, cooperate, save and support the evils of own community and to criticize, confront, dominate and discourage the rights of other community will make the atmosphere, even for military impossible to treat the syndrome of Karachi.Wise saying: First trace the cause of Problem then treat the problem. What is the primary, basic and initial cause of Karachi Syndrome?1. Intellectual Dishonesty by the writes, journalists and scholar?2. Social Hate between ethnic communities Muhajir, Sindhi, Baloch, Pathan, Punjabi?3. War of Economical Domination between Muhajir, Sindhi, Baloch, Pathan, Punjabi? 4. War of Political Revenge between M.Q.M, A.N.P, P.P.P Political leaders, supporters and workers?5. Struggle of Administrative Domination by the M.Q.M, A.N.P, P.P.P Political leaders, supporters and workers or by the Muhajir, Sindhi, Baloch, Pathan, Punjabi communities?To avoid the reality, indicates the unwillingness, to solve the problem by honor, justice and dignity.QUOTE: Mankind will never see an end of the trouble until and unless; lovers of the wisdom come to hold political power or holder of power become lover of wisdom. (Plato)
it is a nice article reflecting the facts. I am not at all surprised why DAWN refused to publish it.
They also have offices in karachi as well.
waah zafir bhai umdaaa sach likhna bhi aasaan nahi is dor main
I hope and pray that the city once known as the uroosul bilaad (Bride of the cities) and roshnion ka shehr (the city of lights) regains its lost peace and prosperity. Ameen.
We all are with you in this prayer.
Writer himself did not have the fortitude to name the ‘parties’ involved in causing this mayhem and chaos in Karachi yet is expecting the government to do so.