Karachi: The Descent Into Alienation

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??

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: # 9
meray bhai, I`m not saying that mobile snatchings don`t happen I`ve had a V3 razr stolen from me at gunpoint ( have`nt gotten a new cell since) in Phase V in broad daylight and know multiple people who have experienced this, what I`m saying is you can`t blame the MQM for all of Karachi`s problems

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: # 10,11 Sir I can understand your angiush of being robbed. I always keep 1000Rs in my shoes and 100 in pocket so raskals can be given only 100 when they ask to give all. Also either we should have religious islamic criminal justice sytem or American style. In first punishment is well defined and swift. In american system the process is slow and punishment is less but is definite coming if you do crime. Both has deterant value. Like recently in Saudi Arabia our Pakistani lost his hand as he made theft. Judge asked by which hand you stole and that hand was removed. Swift and harsh justice but he will not steal by that hand. If mobile snatcher ic caught if his TT used to put him in death in public or loosing hand will have good effect on people and people will fear and pray for forgiveness and may not become virtuious but stop snatching. From great leader L.A.Khan was slaughter is all damn army driven system, no rule of gods or civil law all goondabazi.Fear is key to control crime. Its nothing wrong to have military controlling, problem is our Army chief is not very cerebral till advent present overlord of Pakistan, alas he can not do much as he has to deal with majority punjabi and sindhi retards and MQM will never will be majority population is tragedy. Saudi system has many good points. If you are punished you or your family have to pay for prison costs otherwise you die there uncared, I can agree with KSA rulers criminals were not invited to prison and govt and people should not spend money on criminal welfare.
It is sad YLH could have contributed more being lawyer, but he is gone to India ?
Recently he had been silent and level of discoure just came down like waterfall. Hope soon he returns and hopefully write about his travels in foreign lands. I like his scholarly and tendency and carrying on as tenacious warrior of Secularism and Jinnahs thoughts and works.

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

LOL

anyone who Lives in Karachi knows the FACT first hand.....!!

Re: # 14
Catfischblues...... You have put in words what outsiders feel. I agree with you. And you are lucky can live to other peaceful city.
People are social animals and they adopt to enviornmemt and develop habit to live dangerously and enjoy few moments of joy even in jungle of KHI.
You look at animals on grass field of Africa. There are many dears called gizzales and all are destined to be eaten by lions and hynas. But they are happy animals and when lions attack they are terrified and they run for life. Its part of life. Lions catches and heaves herd. You look at scene once lions depart gizzeles start jumping running and geazing, they can stop grazing as they have fear lion may attack tomorrow. If you live in karachi you expect hynas and lions attackinng every day. But if you come home robbed its ok you restart you get stunned and numb but like gizzles you bounce back. If you have no problem at all then its bonus. To have trouble is normal. Women condition is terrible by males watching women as if they have not seen female spacies. So prefer if women can wear Burkha specially young and alone, it adds kind of safety zone. While modern dress woman is not problem to me but she may be inviting troubles. Women also protect themselves like thay segregate in part of bus so rowdy and starved men do not pinch them. People are quite imaginative and they create invisible barrier.
My point is from outside ring its looks cruel play going on some raskals are attacking good harmless people but insides are not all depressed or frightened all time, there are also moments of joy and solitude in all that violence going on. People can adjust to quite horrible situationa and life goes on. When you ae outsider like me retired it more frightens you when you think of youe loved ones and friends going out to work and coming back alive relieves tension of mind. I agree its very tension, blood pressure raising enviornment like jungles.

After some years of living abroad I decided to move to Karachi this time instead of back to my home town of Islamabad. I thought that since I am a writer interested in the discourse of the media who loves cities, Karachi would be the best option; sure! It is on the dangerous side but how bad could it be?- boy was I wrong!

Every single person I had met in Karachi had been robbed on gun point, and they did not speak of it with fear but with a hint of humor. Rather than voicing their discontent to the people in charge, they just adapted to their situations by purchasing cheap phones to take on the street. Their attitudes were shockingly apathetic, in the five months that I was in Karachi there were about three bombings, normal to the Karachites, a city crises for me- but I was the only one amongst my friends to feel like this.

Not only is Karachi filled with lawlessness and disorder, the pollution levels are unbearable. Our largest commercial center has poor sanitation and abysmal drainage systems, high levels of noise pollution due to heavy traffic and worse of all not a single tree in sight! I remember the Hum TV office, a savvy building on chundrigar road faced a pool of rotting garbage and plastic bags.

People are just living in such poor conditions. I feel that the people of Karachi rather than just adapting to these situations must do something about this, the blame game will not work.

It is not normal to be robbed and live in a state of constant fear. It is not normal to live in such high levels of pollution and dirt.

It is sad that the most culturally rich city of our country is an inhumanly place to reside.

Now that I have moved back to Islamabad, I never take it for granted and nor do any of my Karachi friends who come over to visit.

Re: # 15
MQM chief is Philosopher King.
He has understood fear is the key. He has strong brains to make plans and strong wrists to carry out those plans ruthlessly and putting fear in minds of friends and foes. As a great general he keeps his plans secret and even his nearest colleague have no ideas what will be next days program. He is greatest urban Gurilla general ever produced in history of country and there was no such general and never will be such powerful general. Great part of his tactics is create facts on ground, he totally demolished Sindhis as political forced and they have withdrawn to backward areas. He is King of Karach and Hyderbad. He smells and keeps down his opponets before they can even start creating other leadership. He has cader based perty and as a ruthless machine can deliver vote banks and mow down opponents. He is uniquely positioned as 3rd largest and second biggest party in Nation and Sindh. Who ever wants to make govt has to bend before MQM Chief. HE can make and break govts. He has careful kept BB in wilderness and made her ineffective. When he joined her at same time he made every possible move to damage her. She could not leave it and could not hold it. He is still young. Army bosses will come and go but MQM Chief will be King maker for next 30 years without any problem.
He defeated first PPI( Punjabi Pthan Ittihad) solidly in Karachi and demolished fear of Pathans and Punjabis.He is first leader who put fear in minds of Punjabis and Pathans. Sindhis were totally demolished and so solidly that all Sindh is at mercy of MQM chief. He defeated them in their game. He is only leader who need to be wooed by everybody. He is brave and intelligent and selfmade and knows how to deal with army and rulers. He controls Karachi and it is Juglar vain. He can just squeeze it whenever he wants. He has absolute loyalty. BB and NS when out of power look helpless. MQM supremo is getting stronger and stronger and wisely he has moved his hq from nine zero to London which provides safety to him from physical harm. He use efficiently modern equipment to address his followers. He gave ``Dharati`` sindh- karach and hyderbad as homeland for MQM. After Jinnah no bdoy had such loyal following.
There was no altafbhai before and there will be no Altafbhai after.

Have you ever wondered that with so many channels offerring spoof talk shows parodying everyone from General Busharraf to Qazi Hussain Ahmed to Sheikh Rasheed to Benazir, why does not any body have guts to imitate Altaf Hussain or Amir Liaquat Hussain.

Because all these GEO, AAj TV, ARYs know that the day they criticize MQM that will be the last day for their broadcast in Karachi along with death threats to the news crew.

You can criticize the federal government, the opposition, the mullahs, the taliban but you can`t dare criticize MQM if you care for yourself and your family in Karachi.

Re: # 18
What is meant by ``GPRS`` ?
Mantoji ``
says despite of all talk not gprs roaming``
Any clues are left in message ?
Thanks
China, India, USA, UK, enland, BD , Iran all are possible places for trave

Re: # 16

Wish YLH had gone to india. He is causing havoc and trouble on some other Pakistani blogs. One wonders sometime after a continuous propounding of his views post after post that whether he gets a chance to speak in court because he spends all his energy on us lesser souls.

``#13 by ahmedmadani on March 7, 2007 8:06pm PT
It is sad YLH could have contributed more being lawyer, but he is gone to India ? ``

sirji,

we have our own share of lunatics like bal thackery, rss and vhp. why are u pushing another lunatic like ylh into india. please keep him with you in pakistan only.

rgds,

devkant.

Well MQM is on an extortion spree nowadays as all sector incharges are trying to outdo one another as the funds collected will be spent on celebrating birthday of children of their exiled leader pir altaf hussain bhai.

Dear Xari Jalil and Urstruly

The Blasts killed 11 frenchmen but the New Zealand cricket team who were staying in the nearby hotel had a close shave with death. The remaining one day series had to be cancelled. The French Embassy was closed for one year after the incident. Many cricket teams had refused to visit Pakistan after the bomb blast. Even seminaries, conferences and meetings supposed to be held in Karachi were shifted to some other countries. Reporting incidents about bomb blasts, sectarian violence is like reporting the sky is always blue. It seems to me people have controlled their emotions no ooh’s and aah’s. On the other hand the tourism minister has declared 2007 as the year of Tourism. What a big joke. Tell me who will visit Pakistan in such a scenario.

Iqbal Singh

Dear Xari Jalil and Urstruly

The Blasts killed 11 frenchmen but the New Zealand cricket team who were staying in the nearby hotel had a close shave with death. The remaining one day series had to be cancelled. The French Embassy was closed for one year after the incident. Many cricket teams had refused to visit Pakistan after the bomb blast. Even seminaries, conferences and meetings supposed to be held in Karachi were shifted to some other countries. Reporting incidents about bomb blasts, sectarian violence is like reporting the sky is always blue. It seems to me people have controlled their emotions no ooh’s and aah’s. On the other hand the tourism minister has declared 2007 as the year of Tourism. What a big joke. Tell me who will visit Pakistan in such a scenario.

Iqbal Singh

Re: # 25

Yea Karachi is like Mumbai with more guns, less homeless people and no nightclubs. Our drugs are still better than yours though :P

Re: # 24

Unchecked immigration from the rest of the country?? Why does that sound so familiar?

I was in Karachi to watch the India-Pak one dayer in April 2004. I loved the city. It`s Bombay`s Pakistani cousin.

Moreso, than the MQM the problem with Karachi is the absolutely unchecked immigration into the city from all parts of the country. If this trend continues this city will be a wasteland in no time. No matter how many shopping malls they decide to build.