Political extremism unleashed by a set of political parties in Karachi suggests that tolerance has become a dear commodity in Pakistan. Oblivious of the fact that tolerance is essential for the sake of survival and co-existence, the rulers seem striving for prolonging their tenure and nothing substantive is seen on ground to halt the target killing in the financial hub of the country.
Let it be society or the political ranks; let it be inter-party or the intra-party politics, the element of tolerance seems diminishing with each passing day and the rising number of killings are a testament of the same.
Warring political parties in Karachi are no more willing to accept the existence of other political entities in the city and seem willing to go to any extent to keep their hold on the city. The PPP, MQM and ANP are allies at the Centre, but what all three parties are up to in Karachi for their political interests is a matter of concern.
The motives and reasons behind target killing is an open secret, but none of the political parties has the courage to confess the ‘crime’ and let bygone be bygone. Same is the case with inter-party politics. A corps of dissidents has emerged from amongst the PPP ranks, thanks to the “dictatorial regime” of President Asif Ali Zardari. Whoever speaks loud in the party meetings is shown the door. Difference of opinion means one has already reserved berth in the dissidents’ bandwagon. Maybe, the PPP leadership believes that once out from the party ranks, a leader is destined for hell.
Naheed Khan, Safdar Abbasi, Dr Israr Shah, Senator Enwar Baig, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Noor Alam Khan and Afzal Sindhu did nothing but annoyed the party leadership through their acts. However, Makhdoom Amin Faheem just touched the boundary and bounced back inside the ring. Ironic is the fact that some of the PPP leaders were flayed just for appearing in programmes of a particular private TV channel of whom the party has silently boycotted.
The Altaf-led party is no exception as well, where difference of opinion has never been acceptable. The MQM has a very ‘simple formula’ to keep the party united under Altaf’s will. The rejoining of the Muhajir Qaumi Movement leadership speaks volumes of the MQM doctrine of keeping the party intact. The Nawaz-led party seems little concerned about dissidents and the same is reflected in the recent efforts undertaken by the party leadership to woo Makhdoom Javed Hashmi and Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.
The PML-Q leadership, however, seems a bit flexible on this point. What to talk of liberal political entities, even the two main religio-political parties, the JI and JUI-F, who have the same cause, identity and philosophy, are not willing to sit together on points of national importance. Same is the case of the Pakistani society where space for difference of opinion is gradually tapering where no one is ready to listen to others.
Tolerance is imperative for establishment of peace and stability in the country. Peace efforts could prove more tangible by taking all stakeholders on board to end growing trend of intolerance in the society. The political forces should shun internal differences and confrontation and join hands for restoration of lasting peace in the country.
