On Wednesday, at least 25 people were killed and 40 injured while 20 vehicles were torched in different parts of Karachi. Trouble began in North Karachi when armed men opened fire on Zarina Colony, leading to an alteraction with Rangers personnel. Incidents also occured in Surjani Town, New Karachi Industrial Area, Khawaja Ajmair Nagri, Landhi and Malir.
Do you live in any of the affected areas? Did you witness the clashes? What is the situation in the affected areas on Thursday? Is tension prevailing or is there a modicum of calm in the wake of MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s appeal for peace? Share your stories with Dawn.com.
I reside in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. At the night of 29th April, around 8, I was in a nearby Family Park (where we use to get some relief and to avoid suffocation from unabated load shedding) with my entire family, three kindergarten kids, wife and mother in late sixties.
Suddenly I heard some gun fire at some distance from us. Since there was already some panic in different parts of the city I quickly realized that there is something wrong. My house is a KM from where we were, I drove my family to my apartment. It took me a max of 5 minutes but probably one of the most horrifying moments of my life. As we were approaching our home the gunfire was deafening. Thanks to KESC the street lights were switched off, one can see them glowing during daytime.
Its all about of wealth and power.
These political parties are cancer to Karachi.
Each inflicting deep wounds upon her whenever getting a chance.
Instead of legislating, these armed-to-the-teeth organizations, are more inclined towards land grabbing, extortion, arm twisting and terrorizing.
This violence was due to the dominant political party in khi. These people are trying to instill fear in hearts of karachiites by saying that talibanisation is taking place, whereas nothing like this is happening. Its jus propaganda by these people in order to fulfill their own motives i.e. to have full power over khi and its people through inflicting fear. They know that this is the best time to pressurize the government in making silly decisions as the federal gov is already inflicted with trying circumstances in northern areas.
In my point of view the only problem is that the people who live in Karachi for the sake of earning, usually dont own the city. They always show their affiliation with their home town. Although they are utilizing the resources of the city. All such type of people treats the city [Mini Pakistan] as rented house. Even Federal as well as Provincial Govt treat Karachi just for the sake of earning revenue not wants to make sincere efforts to resolve the big issue of Mini Pakistan. Every political party claims Karachi City is for all Pakistan but no one ready pass a resolution to grant special funds of the city from their provincial Budget as many people who belongs to their province utilizing resources of the city.
The Pakistan’s government reaction to killings of innocent people is pathetic as no inquiry has been ordered. The individuals who killed 44 poor pathans because of their color, language and dress are cowards. These individuals hardly knew their victims. The problem in not going to go away as long as these criminals are roaming freely on the streets with guns. The government’s first priority should be to confiscate all weapons of military design and arrest those who commited these crimes.
Time is running out fast.
We need to be serious about getting together and stengthen the hand of the government in order to fight off all anti-social elements and the trouble-makers. The state should carry out an effective all out war against the criminals.
The intolerable behaviour can’t be allowed any longer.
The foreign hand involvement, if any, must be dealt with harshly and smartly.
No doubt, We have highly professional Armed forces to protect our borders, but presently we are facing a different type of warfare from within.
The enemy has spreaded in the internal arteries of our beloved land.
Having said that violence is not going to help at all and this was another classic example of the failure of the law enforcement agencies to do their job i.e enforce the law. The only solution to prevent such violent episodes in future is to have an honest, unbiased and dedicated police force able to handle the criminal elements whatever their party affiliation might be but unfortunately one cant see this happening even in the distant future unless there is a willingness to do so in the Interior Ministry.
I believe that the recent ethnic tensions were flared up after ANP announced the 12 May gathering at Nishter Park. I dont know why ANP wanted to hold this gathering in a Mohajir dominated area when it rallies for the rights of Pathans and is aware of this existing ethnic faultline in the city which has resulted in violent clashes in the past. This is on top of the already rising tensions regarding the land grabbing under way in the suburbs, the drug mafia and robberies and the alleged domination of pathan elements in these crimes.
Young people have to form security groups and rush to the site of such incidents to teach the criminals a bitter lesson. They should not leave them even after peace returns. Do not identify yourself with ‘we are muslims, we have one god, we are great people, warriors, descendents of arabs’ etc. because this itself is a disease pakistan is suffering from. Shout that you are a rightful person and more a human being and fight injustice in society. Do not bring your religion, prophet and his books in between. Good luck.
Saqib Khan! I like your post about unity but you spoiled it yourself by inviting only Muslims to get together. Islam! Islam! Islam! Enough of that radio Pakistan like slogan Hamara Kalma Ek….Hamara Quran ek…..
Pakistan needs to think in terms of people. Should not have felt the pain not only when its happening at home. A voice should have been raised when it was being done to the people outside the country by the same people.
So Pakistanis! Unite yourself as people not just as Muslims.
That what Mr. Jinnah wanted is not it? It takes all kinds to make a nation, the minorities, Mujahirs and all others.
Wish you guys the best!
One of the commentators above has said that anyone who is not a member of security forces and is seen brandishing a firearm or any lethal eappn should be considered as a hostile. I agree with this. But the problem is that the CM needs to deal with this menace once for all.
Asif Zardari should give a free hand to the PM and similarly boost the powers of CM.
Looking at the bloodshed in Karachi , FATA , Swat , Waziristan , Baluchistan , we thank Allah Taala we are in India and not in Pakistan , had we been in Pakistan we would have been killed by our brothers only , atleast here in India we fight with the Hindus and not among the Muslims , looking at Pakistan we think we are very fortunate to have not crossed over to Pakistan at the time of Partition , whatever problems we face here in India are nothing in front of the Shootings,Killings,Bombings,Violence in Pakistan , had we crossed over to Pakistan we would have been very very miserable . The real purpose of creating Pakistan has nearly vanished and it has become a laughing stock in front of the world and as a Muslim as a whole i feel the Pain of seeing my Muslim brothers dying , being killed by their own brothers Mohajirs killing Pathans , Pathans killing Mohajirs , Taliban killing Army , Army killing the taliban , to tell you truth someone is really hand in gloves with the Enemy of Islam and Muslims.
Anyone carrying a gun or knife on the streets that is not a police officer or a member of the armed forces should be considered hostile and dealt with accordingly. Drug dealers and petty criminals should also be added to the list.
TIME TO CLEAN UP THE COUNTRY!!!!!
I love Karachi. Been there once. Diversity and activity is amazing. Situation in Pakistan is serious. Many mistakes of the past by Pakistani government and agencies has created this situation in Karachi and SWAT. The westerners always underestimate Pakistan’s resolve to stay together. Taking actions against Talibans, after every call from the west, is not going to help. Pakistan has to eliminate Militancy for Pakistan’s sake and continue to preserver Quaid’s dream.
Pakistan is heading towards a civil war and what happened in Karachi and is happening in every major city of the country, town and village is a stark reminder that if this anarchy is allowed to spread and not checked, it will engulf Pakistan with the same ferocity and blood letting as we witnessed in Iraq.
Every Pakistani irrespective of his/her sect, province, language, colour and political affiliation must come together at this time and for all the times and save our beloved Pakistan from impending disaster. We are one Ummah; we are Muslims; we are one people; we are one nation; we are Pakistanis and that is what matters at this juncture of our history.
The best way to analyze the concept of Islam is to analyze what the glorious Quran says about muslims living together united and in peace.
Pakistanis must unite: Taliban must throw away their arms and come to common terms and resolve political issues. This is the way forward for Pakistan or we are doomed.
Mr Saqib Khan, you have so beautifully and emotionally expressed the feelings of 95% of Pakistanis. They are sick and tired of being used as dirt by the politicians and I wish that a vast majority of Pakistani greedy, dishonest and opportunist politicians take off their masks from their faces and save Pakistan from collapse.
Do you think this is also engineered by foreign hand?
I am amazed at the intellectual bankruptcy of some of the bloggers.
Such is the fear instilled into the minds of people of Sindh in general and Karachi in particular that none of the commentators above except the one known as Amir Roohi who has said it all.
I can say with confidence after my observations for last few months that this fresh episode has all the hallmarks of an ethnic outfit which has a veneer of political mask. In fact it is an ethnic entity.
The government has handed over Karachi to these people. Asif Zardari will only realize when the rug is pulled from under his feet.
How come when the state machinery is working under the Chief Minister and yet they are unable to apprehend the armed terrorists. As one commented above, the police is inept.
12th May is approaching fast and people will be remembering those who were gunned down. I sincerely hope that Chief Justice of the Supreme Court takes a suo moto action and institute a judicial inquiry into 12th May carnage and burning alive of many advocates in Karachi.
Shame on PPP government which has proved to be a weakling and coward and is definitely in dereliction of its duties not to have guts to stand up to to those holding whole province of Sindh at ransom.
16 Pashtuns killed and 3 Urdu speaking people killed. Numbers do not lie.
AOA,
The political parties are more dangerous than Taliban. Army and police should use force to eliminate these anti-state elements in Karachi. Karachi has more miscreants and more history of violence than Swat and many other areas. Every house in Karachi should be searched for weapons and miscreants and they should be eliminated!!!
Furthermore we must unite on basis of Islam. If we don’t UNDERSTAND and have Islam in our lives then we are just bunch of different and divided people.
God save Pakistan.
It’s not hard to conclude that almost everyday – Whatever unpleasant happens in any part of Pakistan is ‘definitely’ a part of ‘hidden agenda’ adopted by the multiple enemies of our beloved country.
Now, this ethnic cleansing going on in Karachi is the latest example of the activity by the anti-Pakistan internal/external forces.
Nobody has a right to ignite this already inflamed situation.
I beg the external enemies not to re-inforce the internal enemies for furtherance of their ulterior motives and actual hidden agenda (break up of Pakistan) and that of course it would never ever happen.
Our public should start getting united and join hands with the government officials to fight off the anti-Pakistan ‘DESIGNS’.
Am I right?
I shocked to see the carnage an brutality on the mountains Khawja – Ajmeer Nagree. Do they pay taxes, did they pay land bills, did they pay water bills, gas bills etc. They just grab the land of the CITY of KARACHI. We pay bills, rents, taxes. Why doesn’t the Government cleans the land by IRON hands. They are sitting without any appears, or authority. These land mafia are stronger than army. Why govt not taking actions against these people, they have guns, they have drugs, they have all the transport? Why govt not introduced a bill against illegal land mafia. Why?
The Nazim and city Govt changed Karachi, but, bad luck nothing happening from SIND govt to clean these land encroachers and mafia. When this govt will wake up??
Better give provinces a complete autonomy to get their own police and Govt.
A citizen from Karachi
Thanks to Taliban, which cause nothing but pain and sorrow for other people. Please leave our country we do not want those people in our country who do not care about other people’s life.
It is shocking to learn that majority of killed and injured were Pathans. Is this being done to not let new refugees settle in Karachi? After losing their homes in FATA, these unfortunate Pathans have been settling in rest of the Pakistan including Karachi but some elements want to discourage these people from settling in Karachi. I also see an some foreign agencies who want to worsen the situation in Karachi since it is the head of Pakistan. Keep Karachi in trouble and you will have Pakistani army and govt. busy putting off the fires. It is shame to see and read these events. It is the job of Sindh government to protect every Pakistani citizen who lives or visit Karachi regardless of ethnicity. I think Urdu Speaking people should reject the element that is causing that tension. They have to lose the most if this this flame turned into a burning fire. If your neighbor’s house is on fire you need to worry about your own house to. That fire will catch your house soon.
I cannot comprehend as to why every violence spree in Karachi is painted in an ‘ethnic tone’. Do we need it? Isn’t the loss of over 27 lives enough? Do we need to know the ethnicity of the deceased and the mourning family, to feel their pain?. I expected better from our ‘free’ and ‘responsible’ media.
It is high time now we leave behind these ethnic, race or lingual divisions between us, if we really ‘think’ we are Pakistanis.