Daily Times

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Mian Saqib Nisar has once again emerged as the champion of a vital public cause. In his latest drive, he has taken the land mafia to task. The CJP has questioned the notorious Malik Mansha Khokar aka Mansha Bomb of Johar Town, known for terrorising residents and local police forces alike. Quite boldly the CJP has also questioned the alleged involvement of MNA Karamat Khokar and MPA Nadeem Abbas from none other than Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

On Sunday morning the immediate arrest of Mansha Bomb was ordered while hearing an overseas citizen’s petition, at the Supreme Court Lahore Registry. It came to light that over seventy cases of land grabbing had been registered against Mansha Bomb and his sons. Furthermore Superintendent Mohammad Maaz informed the court, that when the police tried to take action, they were asked by political leadership to stop their operations. The CJP has asked the PTI MNA and MPA to be present in Islamabad tomorrow, bringing along their resignations. He lambasted Khokar and Abbas, for trying to “make a new Pakistan while helping thugs”. He further remarked, “since when has the PTI been behaving like thugs?” Moreover he vowed that he “will not let any thug live in this country.” All in all, it was a bad day for Pakistani thugs.

In cities such as Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi; the proliferation of land mafia(s) is rampantly prevalent. They are comfortably settled in the local law enforcement, political and at times legal branches. Additionally these groups control residents of a locality, through a combination of coercion and benevolence. Where government aid, benefits and protection are missing — the populist mafias step in. Where policing and governance is stymied by corruption, such mafias manage to subdue the community. In 2013, the residents of Johar Town protested against the local police for stealing from Mansha Bomb, during a legal raid. Local residents admitted that they were forced to take the streets, however no action was taken.

While the politicians have been apprehended, Superintendent Maaz has given no reason to suspect police compliance at any level, so far. However, given the nature of underworld networks, a thorough investigation is imperative for long term eradication.

Ironically, it was just last week that news surfaced of President Arif Alvi’s plot in Karachi being usurped by land mafia in 2017. PTI spokesperson Azhar Laghari, also confirmed the news stating that the matter should be resolved by the judiciary. Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his inauguration speech also spoke of ridding the nation of land mafias.

Indeed, the CJP’s actions have promised a positive productive start to the week. However, the next few days in Islamabad and Lahore will remain crucial to the development of this plot. How will the PM react? How strong is CJP on his resolve? Will the effects of this anti-mafia case spread to other parts of the country? And most importantly — can the PTI handle yet another setback during its first hundred days in office?  *

Published in Daily Times, October 1^st 2018.