Protecting the Karachi Operation

No less important

Zarb-e-Azb has, quite rightly, dominated outgoing army chief General Raheel Sharif’s time at the top. But another outstanding, and ambitious, effort was undertaken in Karachi as well. No doubt the Rangers led Operation succeeded in controlling crime considerably in the city. Yet for some time now there have been concerns that the Operation might be losing direction. That is most likely why Gen Sharif, on his farewell visit to Karachi Corps, warned against complacency with the change of command in the army.

Understandably, Gen Sharif’s successor will have big shoes to fill. And number one on his agenda would be not just taking over midway in an existential war, but also further streamlining and improving upon initial gains. That would mean identifying areas that might need more urgent attention than others. In terms of the Karachi Operation, at least, this shouldn’t be too hard. The Operation, which took off exceptionally well, began giving a somewhat politicised outlook with time, especially since the arrest of Dr Asim Hussein. That suspicion is enforced by this continued detention, despite nothing incriminating brought against him, for such a long duration. It seems in adding corruption, etc, to the immediate job of cleansing – which, though better, was not yet complete – those calling the shots took their eyes off the ball.

However, even if Rangers are able to sweep the city literally clean of all forms of evil, it would still be a temporary solution. Eventually the administration will have to erect a capable police force. And unfortunately, no such thought has crossed any mind that matters, in terms of decision making, so far. The police remains politicised to the core, and no talk of reforms over years and decades has so much as dented its reputation of corruption and incompetence. So far the Operation has been good for the city in many ways. But there’s a long, long way to go. Hopefully the political and military leadership is mindful of the long struggle yet to unfold.