Dangerous Deeds

The continuing violence in Karachi, in which at least more than forty people have now died, is the outcome of a thoughtless fanning of ethnic hatred. While the warning delivered by the MQM about Talibanisation in the city holds true in fact for the country as a whole, the problem cannot be attributed to the activities of a specific group. Attempting to do so is dangerous. So is the call given for people from outside the province to leave the city. The fact of the matter also is that political forces, should they choose to do so, are almost certainly capable of bringing the mayhem that has so badly shaken life and the city's sense of security to a halt. The fact they have opted not to do so is alarming.

In the past too we have seen similar fires of ethnic strife being stoked in Karachi by forces interested only in guarding their self-interest. The fact is that today the city is a multi-cultural one. There can be no attempt to undertake an ethnic cleansing within it. As they attempt to grapple with the firestorm that has raged across Karachi now for four days, engulfing vehicles, shops and other business, despite the fact that 'shoot on sight' orders have been issued and the Rangers called out, the authorities must also consider the longer-term future of the city. Broader issues have to be considered as a means to deal with it. One of the common features uniting the various kinds of violence we see in our country is the easy availability of small arms. The lack of faith in the state's ability to maintain law and order means many people feel compelled to keep their own arsenals, large or small, in order to defend themselves. The descent of Karachi into complete anarchy as the rule of law collapsed is one reason so many felt they have no option but to take things into their own hands. The authorities must first of all demonstrate they are capable of protecting citizens. This of course is the primary duty of the state.

In addition, we need a drive to remove arms from the hands of citizens. A full scale de-weaponisation campaign must be initiated, with the backing of all political groups. Such a drive is the only way to restore any kind of lasting peace to our streets. Political forces must also come together to agree on a code against any action that can stir up ethnic strife. Such hatred has been responsible for far too much violence over the years. Karachi today is seeing the mayhem it can generate in its very worst form. A way must be found to end such tendencies, otherwise there can be little hope of the peace, progress and prosperity that people in Karachi and those elsewhere most yearn for.