Controlling crime
Nobody denied that the Karachi Operation was more or less an overnight success – brining down all sorts of crime from gunrunning and pick-pocketing to kidnapping, murder and extortion. But it is equally true that once the Operation became successful it also became political; and, as some had cautioned all along, it turned its focus from mainstream crime to political intrigue and corruption. The turn, of course, started with the detention of Dr Asim, a long time PPP loyalist, whose mysterious confessions while in captivity are already, according to sections of the press, proving a worthwhile bargaining chip for the government.
Now, the kidnapping of Awais Sajjad, the son of Sindh Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, and the broad-daylight murder of famous sufi Qawwal Amjad Sabri, have once again put the spotlight on law enforcement agencies. Rangers can no longer live on the success of a year or so ago, especially when the law and order situation is deteriorating so rapidly once again. And the local police, unfortunately for Karachi and its inhabitants, remains as ineffective as ever. Though both incidents are still being investigated, and there has been no claim of responsibility (till the time of writing), they will have far reaching implications, to say the least.
Awais’s kidnapping is, in the early stages, being seen as an attempt to arm-twist the judiciary. This, if true, will have a demoralising effect on the entire legal hierarchy. Among the many possibilities being considered, one is extremist groups using the CJ’s son to pressure the government regarding criminals already captured. Sabri’s murder, on the other hand, is the typical two motorcycles following a car and opening fire without the least bit of worry about being apprehended by the police. The CM called a high level meeting for the first incident a day and a half ago, and he will no doubt call a similar one for Sabri. But that is about all. These incidents show that whatever peace and calm was achieved was very, very fragile and a lot, lot more needs to be done before Karachi is safe again.