Karachi Bleeds Again: Will Sanity Prevail?

Posted on January 11, 2010
Filed Under >Adil Najam, Law & Justice, Politics
18 Comments
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Adil Najam

Civil society activists in Karachi had welcomed the new year in style: with rallies for peace. This was not an act of naivety. It was an act of hope. More than that it was an act of defiance. Defiance against the reality of violence that has become our daily fate. As Karachi spirals, again, into violence. That defiance is being tested, again. Today, more than ever before, those who stand against violence, must continue to stand against violence.

Violence has, once again, gripped the metropolis with gusto. Politicians are at pains to tell us that the nature of violence in Karachi today is not the same as it has been up North. They are correct. But blood on the streets is blood on the streets. He who dies of ‘political’ violence is no less dead than he who dies of extremist terrorism. The senselessness of the one is no less senseless than the other.

In each case, it is Pakistanis who die, Pakistanis who cry.

Karachi, of course, has never been a stranger to the curse of violence.

Just over a year ago, I had started a post with a similar headline with the sentence: “Karachi used to be called ‘the city that never sleeps.’ It may as well now be called ‘the city that forever bleeds.'” But the fact is that while Karachi is a city that lives always on the edge, it had been relatively less volatile than many other parts of the country. Given its size, composition, politics and history, it is a place where violence can unravel fast and spreads faster. That is exactly what has been happening this last week.

In horror and in pain, one has watched the legendary resilience of this great city being tested yet again by the forces of violence. The news today – with all major parties in the city talking about reconciliation and restraint – gives one some cautious hope. But more than on any statement from any political party, we must invest our hopes in the ordinary citizens of this glorious city. Sanity will flow not from the political calculations of the parties, it will flow forth from the same sentiments of defiance that had brought out civil society in the city on new year’s day.

18 responses to “Karachi Bleeds Again: Will Sanity Prevail?”

  1. Some comments from the ATP Facebook Page:

    – “I also have faith in the people of Karachi. Much more than I have in any political party. The politicians only use the people. And we the people have to rise and refuse their politics of violence.
    PAKISTAN ZINDABAD.”
    – “i agree with you……”
    – “ALLAH MIXAN rehm krain sb pe…..ameen”
    – “this is ALL political war………….”
    – “Cities will continue to bleed unless lawlessness and wilderness prevails in wales and hills along the Durand Line. It is now out of politicians control, now let the army tackle them with iron hands, as the iron is about to melt.”
    – “no sanity will prevail until we keep on electing corrupt people who have theirs antennas attached with multiples players.”

  2. USMAN says:

    Karachi is really a law and order situation and I hope the parties understand just how dangerous the situation is. On the other hand if we can put real law and order resources into Karachi and turn this city around, then the rest of the country will follow.

  3. Ammar says:

    The spread of extremism in Karachi is a realistic threat, being a cosmopolitan city it is an ideal destination of militants who are on a run can try to seek refuge in Karachi. We need to be vigilant so that such tragic incidents can be avoided

  4. Kashif says:

    Tragic to see the city becoming like this again. Anyway, you have iven an interesting post… given your expertise, please also share your comments on my ‘Belief as a precursor to change’.
    http://kashifshahzada.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/bel ief-as-a-precursor-to-change/

  5. HarOON says:

    The people of Karachi are just fed up with this politics of violence. I think the idea by ANP that all of Karachi should be cleaned of all weapons is the best one.

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