Karachi is one of the most important and the largest city with over crowded population of nearly 13 million of multi-ethnic origins and different sectarian groups. However, in search of jobs, more lucrative and profitable opportunities of business annually 250,000 people migrate to Karachi from Punjab and Frontier. Since independence in August 1947 to 1951 borders were kept open in which 8 million Hindus and Sikhs moved out from Pakistan and settled in India and similarly 6 million Muslims migrated to Pakistan from East Punjab, northern India and Bombay and settled in West Punjab and urban areas of Sindh particularly Karachi. Eighty per cent settled in Punjab and 20 per cent in Karachi. According to 1951 Census in Karachi Muhajirs constituted 55 per cent of population and were dominant in politics and in bureaucratic arena of the state. In holding key political offices from 1947 to 1958 by these migrants were 18 out of 27 offices of Governor general, president, prime minister, governors and chief ministers. Now these Muhajirs are over represented in key sectors of Pakistani society, the bureaucracy, management positions in private and public sector, print and electronic media, medical and legal professions and educational institutions. In December 1979 after USSR invasion of Afghanistan the exodus of refugees further complicated the situation and badly affected socio-economic and political fabric of our polity. So our polity had been inundated by illegal and lethal weapons. It has led to mushrooming growth of “drugs and armed mafia” which flourished over night in connivance of bureaucracy. There was no proper and workable plan to accommodate refugees in camps and funds provided by international community and donor agencies were misappropriated and embezzled. All of the ethnic communities possess weapons and clashes had taken place between Sindhis and Muhajirs, Punjabis and Muhajirs and Pathans and Muhajirs in the last three decades. The MQM which concentrated in Sindh’s urban areas especially Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur and has proven itself a formidable rival to all the ethnic communities and political forces, came into being in the mid 1980s. Hence, MQM emerged in the midst of ethnic disturbances, feeling of deprivation and oppression and got the shape of an organized party. As a community Muhajirs remained engaged actively in anti-Bhutto agitations on PNA platform. It needs extreme attention of students and analysts to study development of cultural pluralism and ethnic mobilization in Pakistan’s largest city. This entity came into existence as a consequence of tragic incident of 1985 in which a college student, who belonged to Muhajirs community, was hit by a mini bus owned by Pathans. In Karachi 95 per cent transporters are from Pashtun community. So in a short span of two days widespread clashes broke out between Pathans and Muhajirs. This conflict further intensified and took an ugly turn over the next two years and Karachi witnessed a severe bloodshed and gruesome tragedies in 1985 to 87. Hence, the recent ethnic carnage and that of 12th May 2007 is the reminder of bloodstained of mid 1980s. But it is fact that an impressive performance has been shown by MQM in municipal and national elections since 1988 because of its increased sphere of influence and deeply entrenched politically. It is one of the most closely knit community, well organized and well disciplined party which represents middle and lower middle class of urban Sindhi society. It is transparent, accountable and sincere in serving its workers with due respect. But opponents blame it of internal dictatorship and organized bands of hooligans and consider it a militant party. Thus the clashes between the ethnic communities and political parties, strikes or shutter down cause immense economic losses. To avoid loss of innocent lives and financial degradation to economy and national exchequer a concrete plan of deweaponization, reconciliation and cooperation must be adopted by all the political parties. Ethnic tension and hue and cry of Talibanization is on the rise elsewhere in the country and Karachi in which native and foreign miscreants are involved. Whereas, impact of mass violence on economy is immense. The recent violence spoiled pubic and private property, retail outlets, business centres forced to shut own, industrial production decreased due to absence of employees, vehicles were set ablaze, educational institutions were closed, exporters failed to meet shipping schedule, transport disappeared from the roads and millions dependent on daily wages suffered the most and so to say briefly life was paralyzed completely. One day closure of Karachi, as a hub of industrial, trade and commercial activities, causes one to 14 billion rupees losses to national exchequer. One billion revenue is solely generated from taxes and duties. Abnormal situation, chaos and violence sends wrong message to both local and foreign investors and tourists. Some miscreants in the garb of Talibanization are hell bent to sabotaging peaceful atmosphere in trying to further deepen the cleavages in the divided and hatred filled society which lacks inter provincial, ethnic and sectarian harmony at the behest of enemies sitting on the fence. To make away with miscreants, native and foreign, irrespective of their ethnic, sectarian, linguistic and political affiliation a decisive step must be taken in the national interest for their elimination. However, the displaced of PATA and FATA taking refuge in towns and cities and majority of them has shifted to Karachi need wholehearted and generous support of federal and provincial governments and international community for accommodation and provision of basic necessities of life and not to let down the affectees. For political leadership, it is time to show great determination and resolve to amicably settle disputes and forsake involving in petty personal matters and political mileage keeping in view regional situation and conspiracies of foes. The leadership must show moral courage and magnanimity and rise above party politics, not to be emotional but pragmatic, whose actions must reflect patience, tolerance, reconciliation and cooperation. They must avoid using derogatory language and show decency because confrontation would cause bloodshed. Without blame game an independent and impartial judicial inquiry with due cooperation, of 12th May and post 12th May tragic incidents, from all stake holders be allowed to punish the real culprits, whoever they may be, to establish rule of law. In recent violence criminal gangs and land mafia were involved and our police and law enforcement agencies badly politicized and indulged in unlawful and partisan activities. Hence, indigent performance of police, inefficiency, corruption, favouritism and nepotism is the main cause of slackening grip on the situation. To cope with and end this uncertain situation efficient, honest and competent officers be recruited and deployed to the sensitive and largest industrial city. Further CCTV, helplines, increase number of well trained police force, check posts, raising their salary and incentives to bring about peace in Karachi is a must, otherwise, it will be a ticking time bomb.
Syed Muhammad Shoaib Burney
Dept of Mass Communication
University of Karachi
No comments:
Post a Comment