Adil Najam
This photograph of lawyer leader Aitzaz Ahsan on top of an ambulance putting his hand together and begging for peace and a stop to the needless violence by some who are ‘supposedly’ his supporters, speaks volumes. It speaks volumes about Aitizaz Ahsan; volumes about the culture of anger and violence that has gripped Pakistan, and volumes about the the state of Pakistan politics. A sense of anger and angst continues to define Pakistan.
Read also, Aitizaz Ahsan’s letter to his fellow lawyers, back in December.
Whether the violence is the result of nefarious ‘agency’ designs to discredit the lawyers movement or the disgruntlement of frustrations within the movement, it does not bode well for the country and for democracy in the country. It may serve the short-term interests of some, but it cannot be in the long-term interests of Pakistan.
The pictures (above) of mayhem and violence on the streets of Pakistan are are equally articulate about the state of affairs in Pakistan.
Rafay,
You left Karachi in golden time. I left Karachi in 2000 and have seen all blood shed between 1984-1999.
I have seen when armed ANP and armed MQM were killing people of opoosite ethinic group in 1986. I have seen when PPP and MQM abducted hundreds of each other student and core cammander of Sind negotiated deal between them.
I have seen when thousand of MQM workers were killed by police in locker rooms.
Since late era of zia with afghan refugees and weapon culture, politics of Karachi has been changed to violence and Jamat Islami is no exception. They may have killed less ppl then MQM but they are lethal even with broken “coca-cola bottles and dont hold higher ethical ground.
@Faraz Waseem,
I have no right to doubt your sincerity, for me its
very difficult to judge the situations in Pak-Politics, but
I believe in diversity of opinions and appriciating such
and such party, but its been long that I have lost confidence
in Pak popular political parties, total deception.
Being a Karachiite, born there, educated, left in 74 after
my B.Com, we never saw arms in colleges or KU, I was
elected speaker of College union, went several times KU
for meetings with Ustads icons of KU etc. but never saw
one pistol, there were some hooliganism always, but not
open.
I admit, I can not judge the evolution took place
for the last three decades in Karachi’s Politics.
I totally agree with you on eliminating ” Us & them ” mentality.
A few oberservations
Whatever is happening now can just be viewed as power positioning. The Sindh cabinet seats are being distributed and MQM is just showing his hands that although it is in minority but control the things in the biggest urban centres in the country. If you regard this as terrorism and want to ban the party then should we also nuke the FATA area for sending all those suicide bombers and creating dangers for Pakistan by not honoring the law of the land.
The huge hue and cry over MQM is just another chapter we have in our long history of hate. Before not too long ago Mujib was the traitor, Wali Khan was the traitor, GM. Syed was one of them and who can forget the great Akbar Bugti and most of NS was the hijacker lol.
I am not a MQM supporter but i think the civil society should open their eyes too. yesterday Justice Tariq Mehmood identified the member of the Supreme court bar association who was one of those who was having Sher Afgan hostage with an egg in his hand. Should the lawyers start cleaning thier house first by throwing that person out fo the bar association. Pls dont take his clothes as u have done with poor Naim Bokhari.
the only person whom i respect most is Aitzaz Ahsan. Kudos to him and also to Tariq Mehmod for being he voice of reason here.
By Musharraf staying there something we will see this time. People of Pakistan will know how new comers are end up doing the same things Musharraf did. This will show the truth to the people of Pakistan that problem is with the foundation of Pakistan. Country can not stand still on weak foundation and that is exactly our Great and wise President Musharraf understands very well. I pray to Allah he gives his life but do not leave in the hands of evil politicians who are destroying Pakistan for their personal grudges.
@ Atelier
Well said.