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Renewed killings in Karachi

ISLAMABAD: A renewed spate of killings on Tuesday evening consumed over a dozen lives in Karachi; taking the death toll due to targeted killings in the commercial capital of Pakistan since the weekend to more than 50.

The already strained nerves of Karachi — which has seen political rivalries being articulated in the form of killings over the past few months — were further stretched on Tuesday evening after a dozen people were gunned down in a shooting spree at the Shershah Scrap Yard. The assailants escaped after spraying bullets.

The spate of violence began with the Awami National Party (ANP) calling for a boycott of by-elections in Orangi Town that were subsequently won by arch rival, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). As the violence spread, the MQM threatened to withdraw support to the Pakistan People's Party-led Sindh Government.

A political crisis in the province was avoided after President Asif Ali Zardari met Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad — who owes allegiance to the MQM — in Islamabad on Sunday night. The President is said to have assured the MQM of stern and impartial action against killers of MQM workers. As a follow-up, the President also sent Interior Minister Rehman Malik to Karachi on Monday to hold discussions on the law and order in the province.

Historically prone to violence, Karachi has in recent months seen a high incidence of target killings that have been blamed on the land mafia and strains between the MQM and the ANP which has of late made inroads in this area.

Many see the violence as part of a turf war as Karachi is MQM's main stronghold despite efforts to move into Punjab and the ANP is gaining strength here because of the Pushtoons who have moved into the city in large numbers in search of a livelihood.

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