While the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi has compelled various sections of society to call for an army intervention in the violence-hit metropolis, the government has finally decided to launch an immediate targeted operation in the city against the miscreants by following the ‘Naseerullah Babar Formula’. Major-General (retd) Naseerullah Khan Babar had launched a crackdown on the MQM in the early 1990s after the city witnessed an ethnic bloodbath. According to details, the expertise of a few close aides of the late Naseerullah Babar will be involved to carry out the operation successfully. The FC personnel and Rangers would be deployed in the front ranks and the provincial police would back them up. Intelligence agencies would also be made proactive. In the first phase of the targeted operation. The criminals identified in the lists prepared by the secret agencies would be moved against first and then the operation would be extended to other areas.
In a democratic setup, the deployment of the military in Karachi is not necessarily the best way to go about tackling the problem. It could have the potential not only of undermining democracy but challenging the capabilities of the civilian government to tackle tough law and order situations. Under the circumstances, the government’s decision to empower and support the law enforcement agencies is welcome. However, it has to ensure the safety and security of the police and the Rangers personnel during and after the operation. They should not be left at the mercy of the criminal gangs as happened after the crackdown in the 90s concluded. Almost all the competent policemen and even their family members were tortured and/or murdered, allegedly by the MQM, afterwards. This is the reason why the police personnel have been so reluctant in taking stern action against the criminals in the city. It is hoped that this mistake would not be repeated and the confidence and morale of the law enforcers would be revived. Similarly, impartiality would be upheld so that culprits enjoying the patronage of any political party or ethnic group are denied that cover.
It is also hoped that the decision of the PPP-led government would have the wholehearted support of all the parties — in the coalition as well as in the opposition. Interestingly, in a true case of the kettle calling the pot black, the MQM has blamed the PPP-led government for patronising abductors, the money extortion mafia and other criminal gangs in the city, particularly in Lyari. MQM’s chief Altaf Hussain had in an ethnically partisan statement, demanded Prime Minister Gilani resign from his position if he was unable to stop the genocide of Mohajirs in Karachi. Moreover, on the MQM’s call, a day of mourning was observed in Karachi on Tuesday. The involvement of the MQM in criminal activities is a well-known fact. It is accused of killing 80 policemen in reprisal attacks during its tenure in the previous regime. These policemen had taken part in the 1990s cleanup operation in Karachi, exposing the MQM’s criminal side. However, the PPP-led government is still adamant to take the MQM back in its fold. In the second phase of the strategy to quell violence in Karachi, it would hold talks with the MQM to rejoin the government.
After much hue and cry of political, social and business circles, the Supreme Court has also taken suo motu notice of the incessant killings and unrest in Karachi, which can only be welcomed. Too much bloodshed and murder have occurred in the city since the beginning of the year. Despite a complete shutter down on Tuesday, seven people lost their lives. Criminals belonging to all major political, religious and ethnic outfits are involved in the violence. The government has to enforce the writ of the state in Karachi. The need of the hour is to launch the operation impartially and effectively.*