Karachi: The Descent Into Alienation

sorry I forgot to mention the place...


It was the Under-Bridge area , of Mena Bazar, just at the junction , where Liaqat-abad, and FB Area Meets.

the the mobile snatchers were on bike, and it was broad day light, maybe 3pm or 3.30 PM.


......

`` An analysis of the official data compiled by the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) and obtained by Dawn reveals that on an average 124 mobile phones are snatched/stolen every day. In the preceding year, the figure had stood at 76.



These are the figures , for 2006 published in the daily DAWN ( and thats not an Eveninger.......)

source...

http://www.dawn.com/2006/12/25/local1.htm

Sigh.......



Just yesterday, right in front of my eyes.....

a man was , using a mobile, ....two boys aged 16-17 , stopped right behind him , and after he finished talking , came up to him , and inquired `` have you finished talking ``, the perplexed man said `` yes ``, then the one sitting on the back, said, `` Ok , then give us your mobile ...``

and lifted his shirt..... showed him his TT, and just took his mobile , and ..... swish... Go went Gone,

this all happened within 1-2 minutes....... the man went in shock, and after they were gone , started screeming about his mobile being snatched.....!!


this is a very common sight.... so actually, these evenings have made a GAME out of it, by publishing SCORES, Daily Scores..... but then they are not far from reality....!!

Re: # 7
You`re right man, eveningers are right about everything and remain true to the standards of responsible journalism that we hold them to...

yeah right.....???



Some eveningrs still publish a daily score chart , regarding mobile snatching , and car lifting......!!

Re: # 5
Contrary to popular perceptions, the mobile snatching epidemic isn`t a creation of the MQM, anyone and everyone who can get their hands on a TT and need some money or are just looking to have some fun will go out mobile snatching. You folks need to realise that the 90`s are over

Two generation of Karachi youth, have been turned into ruthless, poltical crimnals, and those who are caught in this web, can kill a Living person, for a paltry 1000-1200 Mobile, with no qualms, their consciences are already dead.


the city is in a trauma, the indifference is a defence mechanism, a shell , a cacoon which each and every person has built over him, this shelled existence, enables him to live through the trauma........ hence alienation.


...but thing have began to change for a positive , a promising direction, hopefully if this positive trend keeps on going ( about which I have doubt )....then maybe within the Next 10 year this city will become normal.

Karachiites have seen lot of bad days in the 80`s and 90`s. Having supported a party i.e MQM which has done nothing good for them n has just given them dead bodies and terror, most of them are now alienated and desensationalized. Also Karachiites have always been rather up front and mind their own business. People in Other areas, especially Punjab always interfere in other person`s affairs and a quarrelsome lot.

One reason that middle class population is desensitized is they know that they will not be victims of bomb blasts. Its only going to be the religiously affilliated attend jalsaa or juloos or the ultra rich frequenting 5 star hotels.

The killing of Nishtar Park was less of a Wahabi and Barelvi and more of a MQM and Sunni Tehrik issue. If you read the news of those dates, you will see that a lot of MQM guys were clashing with Sunni Tehrik guys in Shah Faisal, Malir over Mosques whether it should be under tableeghi jamaat (MQM sympathizers) or Dawatul Islami (Sunni Tehrik).

Regarding expatriates visiting Karachi, there are two types. One who does not stand out from the rest of population upon arriving in Karachi and the one who flaunts by his speech, demeanour or lifestyle that he is an expatriate. Acquainted to both types, I have seen the former fitting in comfortably whereas latter always fearful.

Dear Writer,

Well written article.

I have tussled with this question as to why the general population does not demonstrate any reaction. Probably one of the main reasons would be as you very rightly pointed out, alienation. Alienation from national and domestic political activity will desensitize the general populace which has been conditioned to believe in media reports more than the actual events. Is every political/social/religious activity in Pakistan being controlled? That is the question which bothers me most.

Maybe another reason that explains this behaviour is our fixation with our religious beliefs. Since all of these attacks/suicide bombings can be linked to some form of religious activity, the muslim mind refuses to acknowledge or register the act of aggression as they would violate their understanding and faith in religion. Unfortunately for the common masses, they have started to associate religious beliefs with individuals in the form of cloned examples that project their ideals as flawless individuals, unable to make mistakes or commit atrocities against humanity.

At the same time, demonization of the OTHER has also led to this sense of alienation or rightly put cold blooded apathy.

We have made mullahs powerful and now they are laying first claim over our souls. Can we throw the devil from our backs after inviting him for a ride??