One big push

The ongoing targeted operation against terrorists in Karachi hasn't been a great success, but it's not a total fiasco either. It did succeed somewhat in breaking up the strongly-entrenched terrorist and criminal networks in the city. But it also earned allegations of repeated human rights violations. Should it continue at the same tempo or it should be called off Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had reached a fork in the road; he had to give his decision and that seems to have come. He seems to have decided to give it one big push by strengthening the hands of the security forces on the ground both by giving legal cover to their actions and by courting support of the mega city's political stakeholders. That in making the decision he had the support of both military top brass and political leadership it was amply reflected from the presence with him on table. The unmistakable impression emerges from the meeting is that all the forces, political and military, are part of the decision that the targeted operation in Karachi should continue, and with greater verve and vigour. No wonder then that almost coincidental to the prime minister's meeting in Karachi the National Assembly adopted a resolution extending the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO) by another 120 days. The operation in Karachi was 'started after taking all parties on board', the prime minister told the meeting, wondering how come the opposition in the parliament is now furious over the extension of PPO. Mindful of the fact that one unwanted but unavoidable by-product of stepped up operation would be considerably more than now human rights violations the prime minister promised formation of a committee which will address the grievances and complaints emerging from the operation. This committee got to be adequately empowered to undo the wrongs done to innocent people - unfortunately the past record of excesses committed by security personnel during the last two phases of the operation is not very encouraging. Also, the committee should include representatives of political parties for its verdicts to carry the much-needed impartiality, which remains in short supply presently.
The targeted operation in Karachi should be given one big push for its logical conclusion that seems to be the idea whose time has come. But no less telling were the atmospherics and side effects of the Karachi conclave - in that the high-profile presence of generalship and political leadership across the board shows that civil and military leadership are on the much read 'same page'. As the government goes for stepped up operation General Raheel has given the word 'we will give our honest opinion and assistance wherever sought from us'. But the one he gave on the spot was that transfers and postings of police personnel should be depoliticized and that the police force should be equipped with modern weapons and resources. Not that what he said is something new, it has been said before also but the difference seems to be the general's take that not much has changed here. The bitter truth is that criminal gangs and mafias enjoy political support and the city's police force is deeply divided along the political divide, and a lingering dilemma, pointed out by PPP's boss Asif Ali Zardari, that 'all political parties should join hands for peace in Karachi'. The prime minister's concern over continuing violence in Karachi is believed to have been heightened by reports that in the wake of military operation in tribal areas quite a few Taliban commanders have shifted to Karachi. If of late, the city has experienced an upsurge in the incidence of violence and terrorism it could be their product. So there is the fear of backlash. Do Nawaz Sharif's political opponents share his fears there is not much in evidence; in fact, they have raised the flag of revolt against the government and there is a talk of forming a grand alliance against the government. The sad coda is that the political elite of Pakistan are not much focused on internal and external challenges of daunting dimensions confronting today's Pakistan. Out of power they turn and toss like fish out of water. Give me power or give me death, they cry. Not that Nawaz Sharif is a great visionary and a world class statesman. But under the circumstances he seems to be better placed than the rest both in terms of popular mandate and image abroad. And more importantly, the country needs political stability for things to move forward. If his detractors find themselves a bit disappointed at the sight of him and the army chief reading the same paragraph of the same page, it may be so.