Of Carnage and Triumph

It’s hard to write about October 18, 2007 – a day that will go down in the history of Pakistan when carnage and tragedy struck the streets of Karachi; just when hundreds of thousands were engaging in the most free and genuine political expression seen in recent years in Pakistan. The nation is simply stunned for never before in Pakistan’s history, the country witnessed such a scale of violence in a political rally. At least 135 innocent lives lost; hundreds of families devastated. A tragedy of this kind has a way of bringing people together. In her press conference in Karachi this morning, Benazir Bhutto was acutely inclusive of all mainstream political elements. That sentiment must be upheld as we move forward in the political process; the country can ill-afford further polarization.

Before the bombers struck, the streets of Karachi wore a dramatic contrast to the carnage witnessed later. The city beamed with an electrifying political demonstration. It was remarkable to see the new ‘jiala’ on the street. This was not the original PPP worker who had been inspired by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s charisma. He had not been shaped by Islamic-socialism or left-leaning student politics of the 1970’s, which had given rise to the only grass-root political activism since the 1940’s. The young men – and some women – seen in the crowd were the second- and third-generation of PPP workers. Despite being in political wilderness for almost a decade, the Party appears to have found favor with the new jiala. With Benazir Bhutto’s return serving as a rallying point, the moderate middle – secular and quite national in character – can find the political space to operate and help fill a crippling political vacuum in the country.

Clearly, there is a great deal of uncertainty in the days to come. The government must, however, resist delaying general elections. Despite the threat of more violence, Pakistan must get on with its march towards a full and unreserved democracy. For the alternative in this deeply divided country is not an option. Where we are today is due in part to the unfortunate legacy of controlled rule and regulated politics. There is no other choice but to move quickly to reverse this and allow viable and genuinely national and mainstream political forces to take centre-stage.