Land grabbing, the American way

The latest scandal to have derrieres across Pakistan’s largest coastal metropolis quivering/wobbling/itching with indignation is (and you must have heard of this by now considering the stink they’re raising) a little drama that could be called ‘Our basin isn’t your backyard: Karachi vs America.’

It probably began a while ago, but the story first hit the press on February 8. A daily carried a report of an appeal made by the administration of Karachi Grammar School to parents and class coordinators. The school asked them to use their influence and resources to thwart a reported plan to make the plots adjacent to the junior section the site of the new U.S. Consulate building. Not only would the move effectively choke the functioning of the schools along that stretch of Shahrah-I- Saadi, the proposed site consisted of two amenity plots reserved for development into a public park.

Within a day, alumni, parents, area residents and concerned citizens sprang into action, organizing press coverage and protests.

Quite a few eyebrows were raised in skepticism. Sure land grabbing, myopic planning and disrespect for the rights of ordinary citizens were facts of life, but this was really too ridiculous to swallow. The old U.S. Consulate, with its cement and barbed wire garland creating an effective stranglehold on a once busy road, has been a thorn in Karachi’s side for years now. A new one, if built at the proposed site, would go far beyond creating traffic bottlenecks. It would choke/restrict/control access to eight schools, two hospitals, two main traffic arteries, several upscale residential areas, a public park, various business concerns, one of the city’s two main food streets and (the horror) Bar-B-Que Tonite.

If true, this hinted at new, unparalleled heights of silliness on the part of the city and provincial governments (both later cited as parties to the decision by U.S Consul General Douglas C. Rohn) and those representing American interests in Karachi.

But as reports of stealthy, sneaky, below the radar developments continued to be published and organizations like SHEHRI weighed in, pointing out that converting amenity plots into plots meant for diplomatic use was illegal and beyond the city government’s mandate, it became apparent that it was indeed true. And that far from backpedaling furiously those behind the plan actually intended to continue pushing for its acceptance. Consul General Rohn “acknowledged that there were unresolved legal issues regarding the designation and other aspects of the property for which they were working with the appropriate authorities” (Dawn 13/02). If converting legislation concerning amenity plots into so much toilet paper for a ferengi arse was beyond the city government’s ambit, well then the Sindh Assembly might be only too happy to do the needful. And if it needed to be ratified by the National Assembly, well we all knew how adept they were at resisting efforts to allow American interests to supersede the nations own.

But they weren’t counting on the zeal and efficiency with which their opponents had organized themselves. Street protests, legal points of view aptly highlighted and the pressure exerted by the combined influence and resources available to those who would be most affected for once led to a prompt response. Concern was expressed by the PM and the President. The Sindh Chief Minister, perhaps unaware that some reports suggested the site had initially (according to the daily times 15/02) been proposed by a member of his cabinet, even made a visit to the site of the derelict hippodrome.

As things stand today (16/02), a SHEHRI spokesman stated (but could not verify) the latest news was that the parties concerned were looking for alternate sites.

However the story ends, several of its subplots need to be explored further.The first should be the role of local authorities at both the city and provincial levels in allowing a seed of madness to develop into a mature farce. The identity of the proud patriot who first floated the latest plan to deprive Karachiites of another valuable stretch of road (look what the last Consulate did to Frere Hall) should be confirmed. Or did the Americans propose it? If so, which Sheikh Chilli approved it? When can they all be hitched to the donkey carts that race along that stretch every Thursday night and pelted with fish entrails?

Second, just how silly do some people think we are? By threatening the interests of KGS, not only have those representing American interests in Pakistan effectively antagonized the 0.1% of the Pakistani population that is still relatively pro-American, their subsequent condescension adds insult to injury. What did the Consul-General mean when he said "We understand the objections…I have met the representatives of the protestors and assured them that we are willing to work to resolve the issues arising from the planned construction" (Dawn feature 13/02) If they understood the objections, they would have backed off immediately rather than seeking to mollify through empty rhetoric. And should they ever choose to offer an excuse (stranger things have happened, no wait, they haven’t!), what would it be? Temporary atavism caused by the shock of the Iraqi election result? They didn’t know they were planning to qabzafy amenity plots because their location scouting team was headed by the agents behind their many recent intelligence failures? Their Pathan interpreter told them an amenity plot was ‘A-Mehnti’ plot and they felt land that hardworking best represented their own entrepreneurial zeal?

Let’s all hope the staff that mans the new U.S. Consulate visa counter is also that gullible.

There can, and should be, no excuses. There should, however, be apologies by the truckload. From the city government, the U.S. Consul General, those in the provincial government who were privy to the plan and George Dubya Bush (oh all right he’s not personally responsible for once but I’d just like to hear him say he’s sorry).

There can, and should be, kudos. To SHEHRI the intrepid NGO for providing tangible support to yet another worthy cause by arming people with information. To the residents and businesses of the area for mobilizing themselves. To KGS for getting the ball rolling and its alumni for using their Manolos, Balis and Hawai chappals to keep it going. Of course one shudders to think of what would happen it the politicization/sudden interest in street activism of that particular group turned out be a permanent state. Could the emergence of meaningful and socially relevant political parties like the MPD (Movement for Perfect Diction) and the SUN (Slackers Uniting for Nuthin) be possible in the near future?

Most importantly, the situation illustrates that there can, and should be, organization. If the promptness and intensity of the protests has indeed managed to make vested interests shelve their latest illegal attempt at exploitation of the city’s resources, the people of Karachi need to sit up and take notice. They need to stand and be counted next time too (this gets easier once you’re practiced the sit up bit a few times). They need to say ENOUGH more. They need to say PUT US FIRST regularly. They need to figure out a way to ensure their supposed representatives will actually represent them.

They might also consider writing to American newspapers expressing their shock and horror at America’s disregard for democratic norms and civilized behavior. A sanctimonious, condescending tone is best advised for such missives.

And if indeed the hunt is on again, if the Americans are again searching for a new site for their Consulate, an easy to defend, non-obtrusive, scenic location where hapless Pakistani’s in search of education, recreation or simply a trip to see a loved one can go to be insulted and turned down, there’s always the super highway. Malir. Deep space. Or better yet, the sea! They should build a houseboat, or a barge. A big one. Worth millions.

They can give Halliburton the contract, if they want.