Daily Times

The situation in Karachi is very poignant and sad. What we hear, read and see are heartbreaking accounts. The horror of terror continues to haunt us, feeding into our psyches and injuring our souls. I salute those fighting and writing in defence of Pakistan. Terrorists are not ashamed as they continue to work on their agenda to damage our state and its image. The state is so sacred to us that we have always sacrificed for it our lives and all that we own, with a determination to live with honour and faith. What happens around us is saddening like many other uncountable incidents — human beings are crying everywhere. Those who sell their products through their shallow slogans in loud voices are more than responsible for many such incidents. It may sound stupid to some people, but they will find the truth. Nobody will ever blame dogs for fighting in dogfights.
Our fault is that we are not part of them. If we are seen as hurdles in their nefarious agenda they do not hesitate to eliminate us from the scene. As a friend puts it, no one is safe amidst wild beasts. Politics is supposed to be an instrument to safeguard the public interest, not to kill innocent, hapless people. Are the blank spectators offering regrets and condemnation in civil tones rendering any service to our beloved country and its people, who are hugely distracted and distressed? When the law is not law but sheer discrimination, lacking direction and deprioritised, enough is enough. The prime minister should show courage and be a patriot. The drama cannot be allowed to go on indefinitely. The civil government should show responsibility and provide necessary support to the Rangers in Karachi and the Pakistan army, who are up against terrorism and extremism of all sorts. Say no to the killers who have terrorised Karachi for many years in the name of the people after gaining votes and that too at gunpoint.
Imran Khan surely realises the gravity of the situation and must be feeling like a patriot to act. Zardari does not seem to have acted with courage and a clear conscience. His selfish interests seem to be overriding national interests. Mr Zardari, it is the time to save the country not to engage in petty politics. It is a critical time for Pakistan to avail the opportunity to nip this evil in the bud. The problems created by Ziaul Haq and external forces will continue to hound us. We have to get rid of terrorism. We also need to get rid of those who have imposed this menace on us. Time is the best healer. Timing provides us a frame of reference, a perspective. It reasons, it evaluates and it moves on. But we cannot hold time; it holds us when it forms part of history and the permanent record. We need to be thankful that time permits us to act with reason and when it is essential to act, otherwise it is an opportunity lost and nothing but a regret.
The essence of sustainable politics if kept in place, helps support the patriot to create the needed balance. Karachi is a challenge and a priority. This challenge must be met to achieve a balance. Criminals and terrorists having the support of political parties and all other groups ought to be brought to justice for the sake of security and peace. The civil government, military, paramilitary (Rangers) and all other institutions must struggle hard to crush terrorists and their pseudo-politics, a pretext to remain in power by hook or by crook. Terrorism and fake politics cannot be allowed anymore. To make a difference in national life, Mr Prime Minister, you have to be there when the state of Pakistan needs you to act. So please behave like a patriot. The people expect you to be a brave, bold and courageous leader, much more than ever before. No time could be more serious than the present, as a reign of terror has gone on for decades in the financial hub of Pakistan, the largest city of the country.
The Rangers raided Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) headquarters in central Karachi on March 11, 2015, seized weapons and arrested party activists responsible for many crimes, including the murder of a journalist. The raid sparked an angry response from the party, with workers shutting down large parts of the city. The Rangers said that the predawn raid at the MQM offices was made after an intelligence tip-off that convicted criminals were hiding inside. As per the report, over 60 party activists were arrested. It has been wisely put that the episode of allegations and counter-allegations cannot be allowed to evolve into ambiguity to serve the guilty alone. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has met the British High Commissioner in Islamabad, who was urged to restrain Altaf Hussain because his speeches, telephonic addresses and video talks from London were spreading violence and hatred and creating law and order problems in Pakistan, particularly in Karachi. The Rangers have filed an FIR against MQM chief Altaf Hussain for his statements, which they interpreted as a life threat to all those officials who took part in the raid on MQM headquarters Nine Zero.

The writer is a former director of the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) a political analyst, public policy expert and an author. He can be contacted at iftahmad786@hotmail.com