MQM’s peaceful protest but what’s with the LEAs?
Within ten days of joining the Sindh government the MQM announced Friday as the day of mourning on account of what the party called the extra-judicial murder of its four workers. The announcement caused panic in Karachi as it revived memories of lawlessness, killings and destruction of property that have invariably followed such announcements in the past. There was a complete shutter down-cum-wheel jam strike in Karachi and Hyderabad on Friday, causing as usual big losses to the business community. The educational institutions were shut down and examinations due on Friday rescheduled. Courts were closed causing hardships to the litigants coming from far off cities. The common citizens too faced hassle as vendors providing daily services were not available.
There was something unusual this time though. The protest day passed off peacefully making the Karachiites heave a sigh of relief at the end of the day. A day earlier Altaf Hussain had addressed party workers but instead of reverting to the familiar threats and calls for revenge, he appealed to them to withhold their emotions and observe a peaceful day of mourning. In the provincial assembly on Friday, MQM legislators pleaded for justice and forcefully argued for putting an end to the killing of their workers. As it looked odd for a party in power to be protesting against its own government, the MQM exonerated the provincial government of responsibility for the killings. The House passed a resolution condemning the executions.
For years Karachi has suffered from lawlessness, target killings, kidnappings for ransom and extortions through violent means. This despite three parties representing the city ruling as coalition partners during 2008-13 when criminal activities of the sort attained new heights. As the coalition partners blamed each other, the Supreme Court warned both the PPP-led federal government and the Sindh government that unless they acted responsibly Karachi would be reduced to ashes. The ongoing operation in Karachi was launched at the demand of various political parties, including the MQM. It is the responsibility of all these parties to make it successful.
When the PPO was introduced it was argued that the wide powers given by the Ordinance to law enforcement agencies and the prosecution department would ensure that there were no enforced disappearances or extra judicial killings. It is therefore highly worrisome that dead bodies, in cases bearing the signs of torture, continue to appear in Karachi and occasionally in interior Sindh. Instead of making unsubstantiated claims, as Farooq Sattar has done, the MQM should register an FIR against those it suspects of involvement and present the evidence before the court.
In an otherwise balanced editorial, you failed to mention one pertinent point which is that at the time the operation was being planned, it was stated clearly that a committee of independent persons of integrity will be formed to monitor the operation, so as to ensure that it is being conducted on right lines. However, despite repeated demands by MQM, promises by those who organized the operation and few visits to Karachi by the Federal Interior Minister Chaudhri Nisar Ali Khan, including some stated to be for the specific purpose of forming the committee, it has not yet been formed. This 'lapse' can only be interpreted as a deliberate move to give the law enforcement agencies much more than a free hand and we saw a demonstration of this when the police arrested and tortured a bridegroom returning home with his bride in a marriage procession.
This time, four tortured bodies have been found but this has been going on for some time, though the number of dead bodies have been fewer. And this has been happening not in any remote part of the country but in the largest city, with MQM repeatedly protesting over it. It is not too much to expect for the matter to be probed by a committee or commission comprising independent persons rather than those subject of complaint.
You have suggested that instead of making unsubstantiated claims, MQM should register FIRs against suspects and seek remedy at courts , but considering the long list of cases pending with the courts, and the pace and the manner in which they proceed, is it really the best, and the only remedy?
Our law enforcement personnel who are doing a tough job in very difficult circumstances, rendering exemplary sacrifices in the process, deserve thorough praise by the public but perhaps the misdeeds of a few black sheep among them is bringing them a bad name. Some way must be found to develop means to enable the law enforcement personnel to do their job effectively, without creating controversies which invite strikes and protests that cause great inconvenience to the public while also resulting in huge economic losses, with daily-wage earners being the worst-affected, with their families sometimes forced to starve.
We saw how the nation expressed its solidarity with the armed forces personnel. I hope by improving their systems, our civilian law enforcers also achieve a standard where they receive similar appreciation from the public.
Karachi
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