Karachi issue is not being seen in its true perspective. Instead, the matter is being confused by comparing and equating it with the ongoing terrorism in the rest part of the country. Now, it’s time that the ‘ailment’ of this city should be properly diagnosed and treated. The causation of the Karachi issue explained by Interior Minister Rehman Malik is very strange, and modus operandi adopted by him to tackle it is even much stranger. At one time in the past, he was heard saying that mostly ‘girlfriends’ were behind the target killing of their ‘boyfriends’ in the city. Now he maintains that some ‘foreign hands’ are creating all the mess in the city. Next time, perhaps, some extraterrestrial species from Mars is going to be blamed for all this.
Likewise, his ‘peace keeping’ strategy in the city is also beyond comprehension. The basic dimension of the issue is the complete failure of the security apparatus in the city. Rogue and criminal elements in the city are beyond the control of the law-enforcing agencies. Instead of giving any relief to the people in Karachi, the Sindh government, firstly, imposed a ban on pillion riding in the city. Afterwards, a complete ban on bike-riding was imposed causing much trouble to the common people who, perhaps, have no other option except this. Now, here comes Mr Rehman Malik, a ‘troubleshooter’ par excellence, with his favourite and newly-evolved counter-terrorism technique – the suspension of mobile phone services. Thank God, he doesn’t know that the terrorist and target killers also breathe in the air; otherwise, going without oxygen would be rather difficult for the Karachiites.
MOHSIN RAZA MALIK
Lahore
(II)
I heard the news on a local TV channel that the Sindh Home Department had filed review petition in Sindh High Court against a ban on motorcycles, requesting the court to ban motorcycling for 10 days in Karachi. Earlier Rehman Malik hinted at issuing orders to block mobile services and put a ban on motorbikes, this also made quite a situation joke on which the whole international media laughed upon.
It’s very shameful and humiliating for the Pakistanis living abroad to be part of such a country where no law enforcement agency is capable to cope up with the fragile security situation. The failure of govt was proved by the ban they put on motorbikes recently. There are approx 15 lac motorbikes used by the citizens of Karachi for travelling purpose. How can you stop them from moving around when one cannot rely on the transportation system of the city? Everyone knows how pathetic the public transport system is which has been badly affected by the regular closure of CNG stations.
The govt must be testing the patience of the citizen of Karachi by trying to impose ban on motorbikes for 10 days. I agree that the bomb blast on 18 November near imambargah in Abbas Town was planted on a motorbike, this does not mean that all the motorbikes should be forced to keep out of the roads. If in future any terrorist attack is conducted through any four wheelers, then I fear that the owners of cars might also have to face a ban and start practising to travel through other means. The govt should improve their security system rather than testing the patience of the Karachiites. And if the security situation is out of control of the police and other law enforcement agencies, the concerned authorities should resign from their posts. Stop imposing such bans on the city.
OMAIMA KHALID
Karachi
