Karachi today if you do not know

Today Friday 3^rd August, 2012 I have read in one of the biggest circulated daily of the country (The News) that 4 bodies of unknown people bundled in gunny bags have been found from different parts of the city. In news the daily further says that as many as 7 mini buses plying on the route U1 have also been snatched away whereby the passengers were off loaded near Agra Taj Colony. This news must not be taken just as casual news and that too in the holy month of Ramazan and hence the situation itself demands that we as Pakistanis must find some solution to the so explosive law and order situation and unless we believe that someone from sky will come to steer and rescue us from the gruesome situation where vagabonds and scoundrels are flourishing day and night right from east to west and south to north.

I am not at all hesitant to pen that once upon the time many foreigners knew much about Karachi whereas some of them had not heard of Islamabad or Lahore for that matter meaning by Karachi was the face for Pakistan but over the years things have changed so much dramatically and drastically that people are scared to visit the most populated city of the country. Many people who resided in other places in Pakistan would very happily and enthusiastically visit Karachi for many reasons even if they did not have any relatives and friends in Karachi. Its historical buildings like Quade Azam Mausoleum; shopping malls; scenic parks and sprawling beaches were magnetic for those who had heard or read them did not see with their own eyes. Men and women; young and old; rich and poor simply could not help flocking to the city. In good olden days one could see number of foreign nationals drawn from all the continents roaming around in the city and each one of them felt pride and pleasure to be in Karachi which as such was a plus point for Karachi but alas it is no more alike. It was called the city of lights where even in late night people moved all around without any fear and fright. Plus of Karachi has sadly been replaced by minus. Laurel too earned by Karachi has regretfully now been substituted by curse.

Being a Pakistani and living overseas for over long 30 years I had thought to fly out to Karachi on Eid ul Fiter which is just 15 days away in any case but regretfully I am not happy rather scared to death to be honest. Most of my closest blood relatives like uncles and aunts, both paternal and maternal, are very much in Karachi with their children so it could be real Eid for me and my family to be amongst such a big lot of so closest relatives on the most happiest annual day and I am sure same should be true for most of my compatriots living overseas. However, the present grimed situation of Pakistan in general and Karachi in particular awes me to the extent that it would be prudent on my part to continue spending Eid all alone in the alien country rather than risking our lives to be in my beloved Pakistan.

We have ordinary police; elite police; CIA; FIA and even rangers so from deterrent point of view I think we are not that much handicapped as one may thought of it and all are basically and primarily tasked to maintain law and order in the city so where does the fault lie. All of these law enforcing agencies are quite adequately laced and equipped with many technological devices whereas they are very much mobile as well. From manpower point of view they are not that shorthanded if not judiciously numbered. So in nut shell we cannot and should not grumble so far as number and equipment is concerned though it may lack as per equitable requirement but we must also keep in mind about our sources and resources as well. Our national cash flow is limited and hence each one of those who are obliged to maintain peace and tranquility in the city must exhaust their all energies so that smile is seen on our faces and not the fright and gloom.   

When and how peace will return to city is my very simple question? Who will ensure that both lives and properties are safe in Karachi is my second question? When will I be able to fly to Karachi is yet another question? Who will answer my questions is my last question? What can or should I do if none answers me is a remark and not a question?