Why governor’s rule is a must for Karachi operation Viewpoint

The News WASHINGTON: The Karachi operation flight has hit the brick wall before it could even reach the runway for a take off. One arrest of an ex-MPA of MQM and half of Sindh was shut down with threats and protest drums already beating on high notes. The dynamics of the Karachi power politics and control of war zones by war lords and their units is so complicated, it just appears impossible that the people who are to be targeted should be given the charge of running the operation themselves. With the city shut on Wednesday because one former MPA was booked, no big gun can be touched risking similar shutdowns. Some hard ground realities can be summed up briefly as: - The vast areas to be targeted are MQM controlled. So, it is inevitable that MQM leaders, sector commanders and others will come into the net, rightly or by accident. The MQM would not allow it. - PPP in Lyari and at other places is to be targeted, but the PPP government will not allow it. - Since police are deeply politicised, with men from the PPP and MQM proliferating at all levels, they will be a major blockade and not a helping hand in any operation by the Rangers or the Pakistan Army. This is not going to change any time soon. - As some of the militants are heavily armed with rocket launchers, suicide jackets, latest weaponry et al, a full-fledged army action may be needed in places. That would need full powers, autonomy and control without any political or government intervention. That appears hard to get in the present circumstances. - During and after the APC presided over by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Karachi, reservations expressed by Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah had sent instant messages that the PPP would not let anyone have a free hand in the operation. If the Captain of the team, nominated by the PM is not ready to play an unbiased game, without any likes or dislikes, the whole operation becomes a non-starter. - Smaller groups and gangs and mafias who have come to Karachi from other places are likely to disappear for the period when the operation is going on. So the Afghans, Taliban, al-Qaeda, non-Pakhtoon visitors will lie low and not get cleaned up. That would make the operation look more targeted against Karachi-based parties and organisations. It will not solve the problem until better control is exercised over who is coming in and going out of the city. That may need more powers, resources and personnel. Given all these key factors, and many others as well, carrying out the operation with the existing government, officials like the chief secretary and IG Police already declared unfit by the PM and the political setup in tact will almost be impossible, a waste of time so to say. Thus a suspension of the political setup and the provincial government may be needed if practical results are to be achieved. Imposing Federal Rule for a constitutionally allowed period, to start with, can only do that. Before the Rangers and then the Army get involved and face casualties, Nawaz Sharif will have to decide whether he will suspend the Sindh Assembly, impose Governor’s Rule, remove the governor, replace the officials he has already said were not competent to handle Karachi and then order the Rangers and Army to go ahead and clean up the mess. The longer this action is delayed, the messier it may be to achieve peace and end violence. The political cost may also multiply. If this is not done, failure of such a major initiative will make the Federal Government look like helpless in handling Karachi. That would be a recipe for total disaster and chaos.