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.