Daily Times

The presence of the civil-military leadership in Karachi on Monday last showed that both state institutions are on the same page to defeat terrorism. It is also a clear message to all that any act aimed at destabilising peace in the port city will not be tolerated. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif have taken serious notice of terrorist activities and the poor law and order situation in Karachi. The premier called for the elimination of terrorism at all costs while the army chief stressed depoliticising the police for ensuring indiscriminate action against all criminals without any political interference. Both leaders urged the need to free the country from the clutches of all criminal elements. Their message also contained a warning in to the mainstream political parties, namely the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM). The PPP is the ruling party in Sindh while the MQM has strong roots in Karachi. Both parties have failed to maintain durable peace in the main commercial hub, rather the situation is worsening day by day.

The role of the law enforcement agencies in bringing peace is very important in the wake of an ongoing operation against miscreants. The track record shows that the police system has been compromised due to the vested interests of politicians. Such political meddling in the affairs of the law enforcement agencies has made Karachi a safe haven for lawlessness, extortion, terrorism, turf wars and all sorts of crimes. The militants of terrorist organisation Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were successful in attacking PNS Mehran and Karachi airport. They are still taking refuge in the largest city. The militia groups of the TTP and other banned outfits as well as militant wings of various political parties are mainly responsible for the increasing crime rate. Moreover, the worst kind of law and order situation has given birth to more devastating tragedies like the Baldia Town Factory inferno, which has been blamed on the MQM by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report. This has accelerated the MQM’s efforts at reforging an alliance with the PPP for its political survival and its founder Altaf Hussain is busy in self-defence and making statements that his party was being victimized through the JIT report. The case is sub judice and the court is the best platform to resolve this controversy.

All these complications have necessitated the use of forceful action to clear all the mess. The army has been called in and its role is increasing to curb militancy and other criminal activities. Although it is not the responsibility of the army to fix everything, yet it is playing its role in the form of a joint rangers-police operation in Karachi besides continuing the operation Zarb-e-Azb in the tribal regions of Pakistan.

The political parties themselves have provided the opening for the intervention of the army in civil affairs. The main responsibility lies with the PPP government, which needs to come out of its slumber and focus on bringing permanent peace in Karachi. The PPP and MQM should also distance themselves from their militant wings if they have any. If the PPP does not mend its ways, it might have to go home before or at the next general elections, because the country cannot afford instability in Karachi. It is also in the interests of the MQM that it should take necessary steps for improving its bad reputation of being called the party of militants and extortionists. The state needs to establish its writ irrespective of any political bias in the larger national interest. The police should be purged of political interference. The law enforcement agencies should also act responsibly and not indulge in extrajudicial killings. Karachi is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and any disturbance in this city will ultimately affect the whole country. All political parties must cooperate to ensure a peaceful environment in Karachi. *