A shadow of its old self
It seems only bad news can come from Karachi. Daily killings, even when in the dozens, barely raise an eyebrow anymore. When people are not falling to bullets, they are drowning in the sea. And when, on the odd occasion, the number of killed is small, stories of kidnapping, extortion, theft, etc, fill the news. Nothing is left of the Karachi of some decades ago, when the working, secular elite represented the city, which was one of the fastest growing in Asia, not with regard to crime but progress and development. Now, it gives the impression of a city that authorities have given up on. The gangs of thugs who dominate turf wars, it appears, have been left to settle their loot between themselves.
Not long ago, when Nawaz Sharif visited Karachi – and was visibly angry at the lack of progress on a number of important matters – it appeared that some steps might finally be taken to improve the situation. Yet things remain frozen. The operation, as argued before in this space, was anything but a success. If anything, it exposed the government’s planning, security and emergency apparatus as inadequate to solve Karachi’s problems. Much more clearly needs to be done. And if even the prime minister can’t get it done, it is difficult to see who can.
Normally, governments take special care of their financial hubs. And since Karachi is also the port station, it deserves that much more attention by the powers that be. Yet the way it is allowed to descend into decay betrays where our politicians’ real interests lie. Very soon, Karachi will not remain the country’s business centre. The security situation is beyond control. Not only is violence a major deterrence to business, there is extortion (across the city), kidnapping of successful businessmen, targeted assassinations, and blatant street crime. It is a small miracle that the city remains our financial centre.
Pakistan needs to learn from examples like Beirut, Doha and Dubai. After the Lebanese civil war, the country’s first priority was restoring the capital’s business friendly reputation. And Gulf capitals have made an art form out of transforming into business hubs. We, on the other hand, have become experts in destroying our own future. Karachi’s future will decide the outlook of the whole country. Those in charge let it perish to their peril.