A friend posted a video of Karachi on FB, made by a British soldier well before the creation of Pakistan. The lack of traffic discipline, pedaled two-wheelers mainly, was apparent even then. But visible was a serenity of which I’ve heard many tales over the years. My late father often recalled the streets being washed regularly and that he and friends, Munawar Hidayatullah and Mahmoud Haroon, could ride their bicycles from home, where the now former US consulate stands, to the Karachi Grammar School, with both hands free.
It wasn’t so long ago when anyone could walk anywhere in Karachi without having to look over one’s shoulder, at any time of the day or night. It was into 1983 that the excreta began to hit the fan. Zia’s government created a new society in this city that made its own laws and doled out punishments not necessarily for crimes against the country’s laws but for reasons best known to the executioners. Torture cells, protection money quickly grew in numbers. In rural Sindh, jailbreaks and kidnapping became the norm and quickly spread into the city.
The ‘Kalashnikov’ culture took over. Law enforcement agencies became impotent. Fear prevailed, security agencies came into being, people travelled with guards, ransoms were paid and suddenly Sindh moved from a level of complacency to one of instability. It has only grown worse since, with little or no respite. Even after multiple high profile murders, arrogant burglaries, acts of terror and the like the authorities deliberate and vacillate on the action required. There is no writ, let’s be clear. No more proof is required than the level of the security detail provided to a mere superintendent of police; the very official intended to protect the city.
Times are different now. In days of yore, there were stakeholders; people who cared for Pakistan, believed in it and loved the people. There was genuine sympathy for people and country. Its welfare was paramount despite the limited resources available to a new country born for Muslims from all cultures and languages from across the sub-continent. Today, there are no stakeholders. The political leadership consists of mere tourists. Their homes and interests are elsewhere. A Briton rules this city from long distance. Pakistan provides easy pickings and an inexpensive, comfortable abode while the going is good. The premier businessmen have found avenues outside the realm; they earn here and elsewhere but pay no taxes. The middle class provides impetus to the ‘brain drain’. And others like us are working overtime to ensure that our kids settle overseas.
So the ones finding themselves in gunny bags are probably the only stakeholders. It’s a very painful but stinging reality. There is no sympathy for Pakistan within Pakistan.
One cannot help but wonder at the objectives of this callous and cruel upheaval raging in this city. Apart from the huge number of lives lost, billions in unaffordable losses are being heaped on the country. Nothing will change for the better as a result. If anyone believes they have a haven across the borders, let’s be clear India and Iran do not want another 180 million Sunni Muslims, so it’s all going to happen here. The people are not beneficiaries with a breakup of Pakistan. So other than wanting to live in conditions similar to Afghanistan, at war with your brethren for no gain, the mind refuses to see anything else but total destruction.
The heartbreak lies not only in the apathy of the authorities but in the fact that we have become so unsympathetic that the media is cutting jokes at the expense of the dead. I found a radio broadcast preposterous and distasteful to say the least. What the authorities are debating about is incomprehensible. Who cares about the particular weapon to use when confronted with death? You employ all available resources to defend yourself. Put an end to anarchy, for that is what this is. Limited perhaps for now, but what happens if it engulfs the entire city?
The mode of control is unimportant; it’s not just the prime minister stroking this factor, it appears the intelligentsia is obsessed by this and not by an end to the horrific events. At this juncture, everything pales into insignificance except for this madness that has overtaken this city to stop forthwith. Rangers, police, army whatever is needed must be used. Citing the fragility of democracy is a disservice to it. Forget about fine-tuning actions; just take them with all the sincerity at your command.
There comes a time in the life of a country and its leadership to make a great self-sacrifice. This is when the interests of the nation go beyond the trappings of office, power and political gain. I believe this is one of those defining moments, when the writ of the state, the rule of law and every principle that governs the existence of the country, must be emphatically stamped. This goes beyond egos, jargon, self-righteousness and political futures. In a nutshell, restoration of the writ is the only priority. Its time now to test your mettle and say, “stop or you’ll be annihilated” to those steeped in lunacy. And do it if they don’t stop.
The writer can be contacted at imranmhusain@me.com