Karachi Operation and its repercussions

Political parties are feeling the heat

The unanimous and unequivocal message given by the civilian and military leadership in a high level meeting presided by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Governor House, Karachi, convened to evaluate progress on the implementation of the targeted operation, was that the initiative would be taken to its logical end and no impediment would be tolerated in this regard. The Prime Minister expressed his disapproval of the slowness in prosecuting and conviction of the criminals and urged the need for expeditious removal of the loopholes in the investigation and prosecution system of the province, extending the assurance that federal government and military leadership would provide fullest support to the Sindh government and its law enforcement agencies for eliminating terrorists and criminal from Karachi. The meeting decided to extend the operation to the whole of Sindh and allow the Rangers to continue the targeted operation, enjoying all the operational powers that it had been given. The COAS General Raheel Sharif, who also attended the meeting, made it clear that the operation was solely meant to take out the terrorists and criminals and was absolutely apolitical in its objectives.

In the backdrop of some reluctance and reservations shown by the PPP government in the province with regards to the operation being conducted by Rangers and a confrontational posture adopted by MQM, it was indeed imperative to reiterate the resolve of the federal government and the military establishment and leave no doubt in the minds of any political and non-political entity that it could change the course of the operation by using either its political clout or pressure tactics. The registration of a murder case against MQM leader Altaf Hussain and others in Pakistan is also a strong reminder to MQM that the government and military leadership were absolutely determined not to spare any person, whosoever involved in any criminal activity.

MQM and PPP are potent political forces in the province and have a discernible presence in the Parliament as well. But the sordid reality is that both of them are to a great extent responsible for the obtaining situation in Karachi. Their militant wings were involved in target killings, extortions, land grabbing and even acts of terrorism. The situation was further aggravated by sectarian strife and the presence of terrorist outfits in the city. Most of the criminals so far arrested are from these political parties, more so from the MQM which is using these arrests as propaganda of political victimisation and its leadership from time to time has also been hinting at the possibility of hitting back. MQM in the backdrop of the success of LB polls feels even more confident. Political observers and analysts are also hinting at the possibility of PPP and MQM, whose leadership fears unmasking of their real faces if the operation continues, forming an alliance to thwart the operation. Such an eventuality could be a recipe for an impending disaster and needs to be avoided.

The country needs political harmony and unity among all the segments of the society to ward off the dangers lurking on its horizon. It cannot afford turmoil and political instability in any part of the country, more so in Karachi. The people of Pakistan, the federal government and the security establishment acknowledge and recognise MQM as a legitimate and potent political force in the country and would very much like it to play its due political role in furthering the national objectives and peace and prosperity in Karachi. Nobody would grudge its ascendant role in the politics of Karachi provided it sticks to the accepted political norms and takes a break from its unenviable past. The same is true and relevant to PPP whose leaders unfortunately have been part of the problem and are guilty of patronising the criminal elements. There is no doubt about these realities as they are now proven facts.

The best course for MQM and PPP under the circumstances would be to revisit their outlook and political creed and instead of choosing a path of confrontation with the federal government and the security establishment, to cooperate with them in restoring peace in Karachi and cleansing the city from terrorists, target killers, extortionists and other criminals who have been on the rampage for the last two decades. Both parties can atone for their past follies by disowning the criminals and playing a cooperative role in the arrest, prosecution and punishment of the criminals within their ranks. This is how the operation can achieve its objectives and taken to its logical end. Non-cooperation with the federal government and the security establishment or attempts to create hurdles in the way of the targeted operation would surely not be in the interest of both the parties as there is now no possibility of the work being left unfinished like in the past.

The federal government, security establishment and all the stakeholders in the future of this country are unanimous in their resolve to eliminate terrorism and restoration of peace in Karachi which is a life line of the Pakistan economy. It is true that in an operation like the targeted operation in Karachi, the executing agencies sometimes do commit certain indiscretions and encroach upon the territories of other state organs or the provincial government leading to raising of some doubts about the motives and mandate of implementing agency. This can also happen due to the overlapping and connectivity of different crimes with each other. Nevertheless, the need for the executing agencies to exercise utmost care in this regard is also a preferable imperative.

Sindh Chief minister Qaim Ali Shah did complain to the Prime Minister about Rangers and some federal agencies interfering in the domain of the provincial government infringing upon the provincial autonomy. The Prime Minister promised to look into those reservations personally and remove them. That is the spirit which is required to take along all the stakeholders to find a permanent solution to the festering problem like Karachi. However, at the same time it is also important not to allow political expediencies to come in the way of implementing the operation. It is a now or never situation in Karachi. The government of PML-N fully understands it and so does the security establishment. One can hardly take an issue with Prime Minister’s remarks that the operation in Karachi should have started 10 years ago. But as they say it is never too late, provided the job at hand is undertaken with an unfaltering resolve and commitment that the government and the military leadership has shown so far.