Article Layari Violence

Layari Violence

It is necessary for the violence in Layari to receive moral and political attention.  However, we must be very careful about assembling facts, avoiding assumptions.

As of now  violence in Karachi has been the cause of at least 38 deaths, including 5 officers. Most of these deaths were the results of cross-firing.

The question at hand is: is why this operation? Why a sudden change of heart and why has the government, which  was the protector of these groups/gangs who, in turn, ensured electoral wins and security for the PPP  is now going after them with such a vengeance and force?  Suddenly these groups are terrorists and belong to the Taliban and BLA. Head money has even been announced for alleged criminals.

Layari Township, with population of 1.4 million, was always a strong hold of PPP and the majority of the people living there are Baloch. This is the home of  Sulemani Baloch, Makrani Baloch, Mandi Baloch, Khosa Baloch, Durrazai Baloch, Broai Baloch, Jadghal Baloch, Mullazai Baloch and many more. It is also the home of other Kutchi , Gujrati, Chhipa , Pujabis and Pathans

It seems that the main reason for the operation is to protect the seats of the PPP as most of the local Baloch leaders had decided to defect from PPP. This is nothing more than the use of state force to put pressure on party defectors . The government also needs the support of their coalation partners MQM to stay in the government – This is done at the wishes of MQM.. Killing two birds with one stone.

People of Liyari are suffering as about 15,000 police officials have surrounded the whole area and have put it on lockdown for past 7 days. The whole area is turned into war zone .The police has blocked any supplies to besieged area. Children are without milk, there is no food, water, power or any other basic necessities of life. Innocent citizens are forced to the confines of their homes and if they escape those confines, are dying in crossfires. This is humanitarian crisis.

Our main concern is that since this operation is against one ethnic group -- mainly Baloch -- this will create a lot of resentment among the Baloch nation. The Baloch are already facing worsened circumstances; this will increase hate and resentment and further worsen the situation in Baluchistan. All Baloch nationalist parties are protesting against what they called a targeted operation against the Baloch Population. This also contains the risk of developing into ethnic riots in Karachi.

PTI believes in rule of law and always supports action against criminals but the personal safety and security of the population must be protected. We condemn any operation which is conducted against a specific ethnic group (Baloch) and done without any regard for the safety of its citizens.  If the government was sincere in its fight against crime than they should target all areas where criminals have bases as Liyari is not only place where criminals are hiding and operating from. An indiscriminate operation against all criminals regardless of political affiliation is a must. It is very sad even people like Edhi were not allowed to do humanitarian effort .

This prove one more time this government is incompetent ,dishonest and incapable ,The nexus between political parties and criminals has to end and all political parties have to abandon their militant gangs ,deweaponization  of  Karachi is only solution. All appoints in police must be on merit . This is time people of Karachi realize that their political parties do  not represent their ethnic and political interests .