Continuing to bleed

Sectarian violence in Karachi

The fire ignited by extremists of various types continues to consume Karachi. The nearly five-year long rule in Sindh by the coalition with PPP and MQM as major partners has failed to provide relief many had expected. Year after year political activists have fallen to target killers with each one of the partners blaming the other for lawlessness. Despite being a part of the same administration, none of the components was willing to take responsibility for the happenings. The neglect on their part encouraged gangs of criminals to become active. Bad governance allowed extortionists to have a field day. The land mafia too actively pursued their aims through violent means. Extortionists targeted the business community, demanding huge sums on a daily or monthly basis and kidnapped or killed those who refused to pay. The coalition government failed to come to the rescue of the trading community.

This encouraged the religious extremists who had meanwhile got themselves entrenched in the city to loot banks, kidnap people for ransom and target opponents. Among the first casualties were minority groups. Scores of Shia religious gatherings were attacked, many of their leaders killed and tens of professionals belonging to the sect eliminated. Last month it was the turn of the peaceful Bohra community known for its philanthropy. A number of them were shot dead in cold blood in Karachi and Hyderabad. This month the clerics belonging to Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) were on the hit list of the killers operating from the shadows. Police officials who investigated the crimes by ethnic or sectarian terrorists have been frequently targeted after 2008.

On Tuesday, a leader of the ASWJ survived the attack on his vehicle while six people including four policemen deployed for his security died in the incident. Soon after, unidentified gunmen resorted to indiscriminate firing and arson. On Wednesday, several trade centres across Karachi remained closed at an appeal for strike by the religious party. A clueless Rehman Malik has attributed the violence in Karachi to a plan by the anti-state elements wanting to destabilise the country. The ASWJ leaders however had something else to say. Party leader Aurangzeb Farooqui said the attack was a planned conspiracy to postpone ASWJ’s long march from Karachi to Islamabad. This is not the first time that leaders of a sectarian outfit have accused powers other than their religious rivals for killings. The elections being round the corner, the incidents of the sort could be used by those who want the elections to be postponed. In case they succeed, an orderly transfer of power required to strengthen democracy may not remain possible. Many will hold the coalition in power responsible for lack of action when required.