Since Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain’s arrest, Karachi has been at a standstill. Education institutes, businesses, transportation, fuel stations – everything is shut down. What’s interesting about this situation is that it seemed to have developed on its own. As soon as the dreaded news appeared on the media, the people of Karachi, almost as if acting on an instinct, abandoned everything and started to rush home. Being the financial hub of the country, closure of business is costing billions. Despite the reassuring announcement by MQM, the Oil Tanker Association has refused to resume activity until the condition improves. The situation will have to change soon. On that front, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government has proven largely ineffective. Not a single mark of their governance is visible on Karachi, or perhaps its absence is their signature. Incidents of violence have been occurring across the city. The political leadership along with the law enforcement agencies will have to co-operate to prevent further escalation.
But, such political harmony is hardly achieved when the leader of the second biggest party of Karachi, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan, cannot seem to make up his mind about the ongoing affair. Previously, Mr Khan had attempted to prompt action through authorities in London, and for that purpose, he personally travelled to London to provide ‘evidence’ against Mr Altaf Hussain. Now, once the MQM Chief is under arrest, just what Mr Khan had struggled to secure not too long ago, he has suddenly become sensitive to feelings of MQM supporters. There are only so many shifts one can make in politics without getting noticed. The politics of U-turns is neither good for the future of the party nor for the country. Other political parties, while ensuring they express solidarity with the MQM as they have, should also take responsibility and do their part in bringing the city back to life.