What’s the solution?

To the problem that is Karachi

The federal government appears to have risen from a slumber to review the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi which has been on the boil for the last four days. More than 100 people have been killed in the fresh spate of violence which shows no sign of letting up.

A meeting held at the Presidency Friday evening decided to immediately revive the commissionerate system in Sindh and make ‘suitable amendments’ in the Local Government Act to empower the local administration to effectively deal with the emerging challenges. The meeting jointly presided over by President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani also decided to appoint Manzoor Wasan as Sindh Home Minister and assign his previous portfolio of housing and works to Zulfiqar Mirza. Meanwhile, the provincial government authorised the Rangers to exercise the powers of police as the law enforcement apparatus failed to curb violence which spread to different parts of Karachi on Friday. The city’s business centres remained closed and busy streets went quiet as residents huddled indoors out of fear. As far as the revival of the commissionerate system is concerned, it is bound to further antagonise the MQM which had rejected the idea when it was first proposed by the PPP. Its leadership has also announced opposing the amendment when the bill would be tabled in the provincial assembly for debate. This is understandable. The party fears losing the powers it has been enjoying under the existing system.

The intervention at the highest level aimed at restoring peace to the strife-torn city is welcome but the objective can only be achieved by finding a political solution to the crisis which keeps persisting. It is time concerted efforts be made to rescue the innocent citizens who continue to suffer from the recurring acts of violence. As the PPP leadership has reiterated its commitment to continue pursuing its policy of reconciliation, it needs to step up efforts to end hostilities between two major political forces – the MQM and the ANP.