On every ground
With the continuing inability on the part of the ruling alliance to put an end to the killings spree in Karachi where four more died on Sunday, the issue is now under serious consideration of both the Supreme Court and the army. The SC which has been pressing the government to identify the real patrons of the gangs of killers resumed the hearings on Karachi on Monday. Seemingly more issues are likely to land up at the judiciary’s table in days to come. Rehman Malik has asked the PM to appoint a judicial commission headed by a SC judge to look into the accusations levelled by Zulfiqar Mirza regarding his connections with the target killers and their release under his instructions which Malik has called concocted allegations. Malik has reportedly also requested the CJ to set up special courts in Karachi. When politicians fail to resolve their differences or are seen to be wobbling, they are likely to lose their turf to other institutions of the state. This may not be good for the system, but things cannot be allowed to deteriorate for months and years.
There being no appreciable improvement in Karachi since the last corps commanders meeting in August, where worries had been expressed regarding the grave economic implications of the continuing lawlessness in the mega city, the matter is reportedly once again on the agenda of the military commanders’ meeting due later this week. The army still wants the civilian law enforcement agencies to bring the situation under control through a broad based operation targeting everyone responsible for chaos in Karachi without discrimination. There are accusations that the targeted action remains lopsided.
While the initiative is gradually passing on to other institutions, the government continues on its mission to bring back MQM into the ruling coalition’s fold. After serious allegations that include forming gangs of killers to spread havoc in Karchi, conniving with foreign powers to break up the country and to work together with them to dismantle the ISI, the MQM is in a tight corner. The PPP is unwilling to deny the charges levelled by Zulfiqae Mirza against the party while Gilani refuses to take any action against the former Sindh minister, stressing his loyalty to the PPP. In case MQM decides to return to the government’s fold, it would find itself in a weak position.
