The call for strike is not one of them
There are different forms of protest that political parties can resort to in order the get their grievances redressed. To begin with they can press their demands in the assemblies and the Senate, failing which thy can hold protest rallies that do not disturb peace or can go for hunger strike. Shut down calls, particularly in cities like Karachi and Lahore, must be avoided as they have a highly negative impact on national economy besides causing problem for millions of people. A strike in Karachi which is the industrial hub of the country causes losses of billions of rupees per day. A perception has grown that whenever narrow party interests require putting pressure on the government, the MQM announces a strike in Karachi. The party may claim that it had only observed a day of mourning on Saturday and had not appealed for a shut down, but this would be sheer sophistry as it asked (read, allowed) the traders and transporters to resume business in the afternoon. The day of mourning had been announced to protest against the alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of party workers. A day after the party has demanded the transfer of top police officers in the city maintaining that the police had brutally tortured one of its activists.
Extrajudicial killings taking place anywhere in the country need to be strongly condemned. Similarly torturing people in police custody cannot be tolerated in any country practising democracy. MQM’s complaint needs to be looked into and if found genuine those responsible for torture should be duly punished in accordance with the law. The Sindh government has already suspended four police officers and ordered enquiry into the torture charges. There is a need on the part of MQM also to act as a responsible political party by avoiding fiery speeches or calls for strike whether direct or indirect.
Karachi was on the brink of disaster before the start of the ongoing operation. In February 2013, the Supreme Court had issued a desperate call to the government to move or Karachi would be reduced to ashes. It was widely accepted that many among those involved in targeted killings and violence enjoyed the backing of the political parties, including MQM. Soon after the elections there were widespread calls for operation in Karachi. MQM chief Altaf Hussain went to the extreme of demanding that Karachi be handed over to the army. The ongoing police-cu-Rangers operation has partially improved the law and order situation though much more remains to be done. The LEAs are under immense pressure in Karachi where 79 policemen have been killed in just over five months. Despite this one expects the law enforcers to act strictly in accordance with the law. Equally important is that political parties avoid supporting criminals in their ranks.
