Holding the peace
The operation in Karachi had the support of the PPP and MQM when it was initiated in 2013. During Nawaz Sharif’s periodic visits to review the situation both the parries were taken into confidence. At times Zardari was invited to attend the high level meetings held to review the situation. On Friday when Nawaz Sharif visited Karachi, things were altogether different. The PM met both the governor and chief minster at a meeting where law and order in Karachi and the overall situation in Sindh were discussed. It was noted however that the CM maintained a distance from the PM. The MQM had threatened to resign from the parliament a couple of days back and its leaders were on hunger strike. Leader of the Opposition in National Asembly Khurshid Shah had visited the hunger strikers a day earlier and had called on the PM to do something about the reservations of MQM.
Rangers have been at the center of complaints from both the PPP and MQM. Neither of the two parties denies their role in bringing down significantly the incidence of terrorism, extortion and target killings. Both however object to what they consider incidents of political victimisation and violation of human rights. The report procured by the Rangers from an NGO exonerating them of the charges was termed as fake by a Senate committee. While the PPP government has extended the Rangers tenure with special powers in Karachi, it has rejected the demand to extend these powers to interior Sindh.
It is for the PM to mediate in the matter to ensure that Karachi operation enjoys the support of all. The second phase of NAP, supposed to begin next week, can succeed only if all stakeholders work in cohesion. Karachi being the hub of national industry and commerce needs sustainable peace which is possible only through willing cooperation of all who matter, particularly PPP and MQM. The MQM too needs to act as a peaceful party and cut off its relations with elements indulging in criminality.
Master of black-mailing, MQM had timed their Hunger strike with that of PM's visit and expecting the PM would come to them and beg to end the strike. That did not happen. Although Khurshid Shah and then PML rep also visited them. MQM has repeatedly used those black-mailing tactics many times before, including resigning from Assemblies. Even their leader has resigned some seven times to head the party and rejoined after some hours even. So all know it is one of their harba which has failed time and again.
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