Today, 3rd of August, 2011. The absent and absconding leader of MQM has warned Karachites, to brace up for a deadly civil-war. He has asked the people of this most abused of cities to gear up for the next month, they are told to store up on food and other essential items at least for a month, under all circumstances, even, if they have to sell their 'valuables' to do so. What is one to make of this statement? What should we do?
There isn't a doubt as to the government's policy of alienating and pushing to the wall their erstwhile coalition partners the MQM. In a policy which the leader of MQM refers to as 'ethnic cleansing' other parties and players are being 'empowered' by the government to minimize the hold of Altaf's party. Their broken off party headed by Afaq Amir and hailed as MQM (haqiqi) is being propped against the MQM, the MQM is being asked to by the government to accept the off-shoot as a legitimate party and voice in the affairs of the city. Its leaders are being set free and cases against them dropped to give them a clean bill of health. Sunni-tehreek and ANP are also being touted as being significant stake-holders in the city.
The situation is alarming - the random killings in Karachi are not on the ebb, in fact they are on the increase, more and more areas are becoming sensitive and prone to incessant firing and shooting. All the different parties claim that they are being mauled and targeted, and are the victims of this dirty game.
What is the truth? In a situation like this there isn't one truth, and whatever the truth is - if any - is muddled and partial depending on who you are talking to.. The channels of communications are breaking down, the parties are taking position against each other and feel that their views are right and they are being wronged.
The first and foremost fight is between the Pathans and the Mohajirs. They are fighting to gain credence and influence over more and more areas of the city. Orangi town is MQM dominated while adjacent to it is kati parahi which is all pathan area with support to ANP.
Landhi is the stronghold of MQM haqiqi and so on. What will happen if all these opposing forces clash head-on? Are we looking at a civil-war? And do we even have a clue what that would entail??
Altaf Hussain spoke very irresponsibly. How can a leader sitting across seven seas and in complete peace and comfort, make such dangerous remarks, knowing very well that his people hang on to every word he utters (unfortunately) and this would be seen as a call to arms! Sitting far away he is trying to start a civil-strife in the country? he must be caught and tried for sedition and brought to justice....
But, then why only blame Altaf for being melodramatic and playing onto the strong emotions of the people here, the games the ISI and PPP are playing are far dirtier. If Altaf is asking his people to prepare themselves for siege and unrest then the latter two are creating the siege and the unrest. PPP have let loose the man-eating lions and wants complete carnage, a head-on collision of forces in the the city, and our spy agencies are doing what they do best - do things to break up the country.
The freedom movement in Baluchistan is simmering, combine it with the total void of law and order in Karachi and add to it the incendiary remarks of our leaders, plus the turmoil of city-dwellers is making a situation more an more volatile!
God! help Karachi and its people...
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