All talk, no action
If any further proof was needed to establish that Karachi had been subjected to criminal neglect by its rulers, it has been provided by the casualties caused by the collapse of a multi-storey building in Lyari. By Friday noon, there were reports of at least 10 residents’ deaths while 40-50 more were feared to be trapped in the debris. A report tells of 113 buildings being unfit and dangerous for living in just two towns out of nearly twenty which form the mega city.
Presumably the government considers that its responsibility does not extend to the evacuation and rehabilitation of the residents living in these dangerous buildings. Consecutive warnings have been given by city planners that any big tumbler in this mega city in a quake prone zone could lead to horrendous losses of life. No move has however been initiated to make and enforce laws ensuring secure building structures in residential areas.
During the last seven month as many as 800 people have been reported dead by the HRCP in Karachi. The debate in the NA on Thursday however provided yet another example of the apathy of the political elite towards the city. While none supported Altaf’s call for deploying army in the city, there was no alternate proposal either.
During the debate, the two major parties, PPP and PML(N), chose to slug it out with each other instead of discussing the pitiful plight of the city and reaching a consensus on a way out. On Friday, MQM’s Farooq Sattar presented a list of 500 alleged gang members that he maintained were responsible for the carnage. He accused the government and pointed finger towards “terrorists from northern areas” but claimed his party had no criminals in its ranks. What has thus gone on is an unending exercise in mutual incrimination.
Despite assurances by Rehman Malik that a “targeted action” was going on against the killers, the killing spree has continued with 58 people reported dead in five days alone this week. On Friday, Malik again reiterated that “we will not spare anybody” and that every effort would be made for Karachi’s law and order. The same statement has been repeated umpteen times during the last three years and more. Declarations of the type only end up widening the credibility gap between the government and the people.
