Karachi:Call for army to takeover

Editorial: Frontier Post

No doubt that the situation in Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan and the country’s economic capital, continues to deteriorate as target killing, extortion and kidnappings for ransom are rampant despite all assurances by the provincial government, police and Sindh Rangers, and the environment for smooth business is totally absent, yet the plea taken by the business on Monday involving the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry that the city should be handed over to the army even for a short period of four to six weeks, cannot be supported for reasons. First it is a negation of democratic norms that all stakeholders have kept intact despite odds. Secondly, the army is already engaged in more important task of cleansing tribal agencies of extremists and terrorists who have again raised their ugly head with vociferous mischief of challenging the writ of the state. Therefore, deploying them is Karachi would mean diverting army’s attention from the more important issue of salvaging the country from a stinking impasse.Why it is always necessary to call in army to mend the wrong of the civil administration, be it earthquake or floods as the civil administration always lays off its hand showing its inability to take up the various challenges. And thirdly, law and order is the exclusive responsibility of the government of Sindh and only the provincial administration is obliged to rectify its national wrongs and give the citizen a right to live and live peacefully. Karachi’s business community on Monday resolved in favour of a strike, by although a divided vote. No-one can refute the community’s allegations and fear, yet a degree of acceptability has to be ensured. Karachi is probably heading for still worse in the wake of at least 10 people dying daily on an average due to rampant target killing and snipers firing. The strike call was endorsed by the President of Pak-Indo Chamber of Commerce SM Muneer who also insisted on the deployment of army. A call for strike is the legitimate right of the business community but nothing beyond that should be demanded or accepted. However, one group, which met governor Isharatul Ibad and accepted his assurance once again, is opposed to the strike call. Developing from land mafias, the city is in the grip of more mafias that have, of late, pinpointed traders, industrialists and other business persons who are facing serious threats from extortionists and receiving bullets and hand grenades for non-payment of “Bhata”(Extortion money). As such the call for strike and deployment of army appears to be the agony of a frustrated mind when the mainstream industry of Pakistan is badly suffering’ industrial units are closing down and investment is being shifted elsewhere. Political parties, especially the ruling coalition partners Pakistan People’s Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, who were supposed to restore peace and create an environment of business and other socio-political activities seem to have become helpless and redundant. But not only the two coalition partners, all political parties owe the blame of not contributing to political steps that are necessary and required to bring Karachi back to normalcy. Who does not know the emergence of mafias? They were once the blue eyed groups of political activists patronized by a host of political organizations and are now conducting themselves like Frankenstein for their patrons. It was generally believed about a decade ago that Karachi’s problem stems out from political waywardness. The things might have changed in gravity; but this remains a political issue and its resolution also lies in skillful political craftsmanship. However, a strong political will is still the answer and if all the stakeholders demonstrate the desire for peace in the troubles city and also the will, a solution can still be found.