It was tragic that Abbas Town, which is not a posh area like Clifton or Defense did not merit security. A very high intensity bomb was planted on a motorcycle which went off inside a residential neighborhood at Iqra City and Rabia Flowers apartments, causing unprecedented mayhem on the ill-fated residents and visitors of the area who were neither equipped to deal with such a calamity which killed 45 and injured over 150 people, nor were they extended any security and remedial help for hours and hours which is very regrettable to be honest. Majority of them were Shiahs living in the area. This location was attacked last year also during Muharram but nothing was done and no precautionary methods were taken since then to avoid any future incident.
Most of the inhabitants are lower middle class people, employees working both in public and private sector. These locals have been abandoned and there seems to be no security provided. Not a single police van was in the area when the bomb went off. This is not the first incident where no help was forthcoming; this seems to be the norm rather than the exception. The announcement by MQM to the general public was to help themselves. Lack of help from the provincial government and police proved it to be a complete state failure.
The public must thank the rulers sitting in bomb proof houses and travelling with heavy security for sending messages of condolence. The deep concern of our top most VIPs namely President Asif Ali Zardari coupled with Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, flanked by Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat Ebadull Khan and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah helped the bereaved families tremendously by providing them with shelter and basic commodities to spend the night under the open sky with the bodies of their dead.
This reminds me of Nero playing on his harp while Rome burnt; it has been revealed that our actress plus politician Ms Sharmila Farooqui had arranged her engagement ceremony at the revered historical Mohatta Palace, where the dignitaries and elite were attending with most of the cities security deployed there. What a joke that President has announced cash compensation for the families of all those who have been killed or injured which on the face if it looks to be a bit commendable effort but I have my very serious doubts if the compensation money will be paid even after five years time as it has been experienced repeatedly. Who has seen any compensation? The poor lost their bread earners and in some instances their sole male members. The worst is, who will take care of the many injured, lying in hospitals with families who can barely afford daily necessities rather than such high medical bills? Is the government taking responsibility or still sending messages of ‘Get Well Soon’ to the injured in the hospital?
IQBAL HADI ZAIDI,
Kuwait, March 4.