After a long time, Karachi has been witnessing a generally peaceful environment with almost no news of the otherwise daily target killings, kidnappings for ransom, and extortions. Operation carried out by police and rangers has forced many criminals to be off-scene to avoid imminent arrests; but for how long will this continue; only time will tell. But there is a general perception that certain political groups are being exclusively targeted in the city. No one will question netting of criminals but if it results in uncalled for incarnation and torturing of political workers only because they belong to a certain party, then this operation is not moving in right direction. Such discrimination is bound to backfire in due course and that would be a more painful scenario. Unless LEAs take a neutral stance on catching of criminals, fingers will be raised on real intentions of the operation, prompting the impression that some changes are in the air. I was shocked to watch PTI Karachi chapter’ leader, Faisal Wada, telling reporters in London that as per Imran Khan Karachi is going to be handed over to them by December. In other words, MQM would be forced to either boycott the local governments elections due in next few months or wouldn’t be allowed to run the election campaign in an effective way resulting in PTI gaining the hold over city. Is this a city of 20 million people or an occupied territory that’s being handed over from one landlord to another one? People of Karachi will not accept such enforced decisions --- past is no exception when Karachi parted away politically from rest of the country and refused to go by the wind. 1965 elections saw Miss Fatima Jinnah defeating Ayub Khan only in Karachi while Ayub won all across West Pakistan, 1970 and 1977 elections saw anti-Z A Bhutto forces taking over the city. Elections in 80s and 90s reflected the same trend.
Please let the Karachi Operation to proceed without making decisions on behalf of 20 million people whom and whom not they should vote. Decisions taken in Islamabad/ Rawalpindi and Lahore are bound to blowback; why to take an already rejected track?
MASOOD KHAN,
Saudi Arab, August 5.