May 12: Karachi cries after the horrendous attack on its denizens. No words can adequately describe the senseless and tragic attack on the the City of lights. The pulse of the nation. This city has seen many tragedies - from Bomb blasts to sectarian riots, but never something this outrageous, not to mention a planned attack on the city by a select few pro/anti government elements. Who were theses f**kers, what was there bloody objective?
Unaiza Naseem a blogger titled her post at Karachi Metroblogging as "
Bandar Ka Tamasha" (Translated as Monkey's Show). Take a look at the following photos by a Jamal Shamsi - Bandar Ka Tamasha indeed it is...insanity at its hight if not vandalism of public property. The crowds appear to be cheering at a group of ruffians attempting to tare apart a
KESC truck - this is pathetic, and sickening.
Moving on
All-Things-Pakistan has as usual done a phenomenal compilation of the days event, though perhaps not a complete one. But then does anyone know the entire reasoning behind these horrendous terror attacks?
Further we have some extremely enraged Karachiites speaking out in disgust, take one Furshid a web developer by profession has posted on his blog: "
Karachi situation and opinions about it" . An extremely expressive blog this is - he has attempted to portray the rage of the average Karachi denizen. How dare these hooligans violate our beloved Karachi.
Most of the blogs on Pakistan's blogosphere depict the anger and rage of the average Karachiite. A deliberate attempt, perhaps by a select few power mongers attempting to silence a highly vocal opposition force.
You can read the mainstream press they will tell you that this was all to prevent the ousted Chief Justice Iftiqhar Chuadry from delivering his speech at the Sindh High Court in Karachi.
Which prompts one to ask:prevented by whom? Naturally the only place the finger can be pointed to is the Musharraf lot. But then what about the MQM how do they fit in? Didn't the MQM officially claim to support the ousted Chief Justice? But then it they appear to be the ones on the offensive - so whats going on? What is the real picture - is what the average Karachiite, blogger and web user has been trying to figure out. From ranting and venting pieces of the larger puzzle are slowly trickling in.
What about the police - according to the mainstream media, particularly a
report on AAJ TV the police were on the sidelines observing, yet taking no God dam preventive measures.
The general talk from the street is that these attacks were planned and orchestrated well in advance. Though to what ends? Was there any clear objective? Who are the benefactors? Are all questions people are asking - from the mainstream press to the individual blogger and Karachiite.
Amidst all this we find a report by Daily Times quoting Musharraf
"The People are with me", a subscribed from the
AOPP Pakeditor mailing list commented, and I quote:
"What a shame? President of a country, in uniform, supposed to be above politics as an Army Chief as well as President, boasting about a drama and not feeling remorseful of what happened because of their stupid rallies for show of strength .I strongly feel cases of murder should be registered against President Musharraf, Shaukat Aziz, Goverment of Sindh and all others responsible for allowing such a massacre.If it was some responsible nation, such an incidence would not go uninvestigated and unpunished."--M.A.Yet within the chaos, confusion and anger there is a glimmer of hope a Karachi trait indeed where Ejaz Asi, a fellow blogger has
designed a banner "I Love Karachi" which has fast become popular throughout the World Wide Web.
Ejaz Asi's reason for creating this banner is easily found on his blog, reprinted below:
Why I created these Banners?
In my understanding, Love is ever too great and powerful and forgiving as to let go of your false ego, your fears and insecurities. When you say I love Karachi, you are determined to seek every possible way to keep your city healthy, peaceful, good place to live and grow together etc… That’s the idea of Love towards your city, people and country, of course.
Loving Karachi, in my sincerest hopes, will instill a pride among its users to bring about a positive and healthy change and most importantly “tolerance” towards others. The stronger your tolerance level will be, the weaker your enemies’ ambitions and their cruel natures will succumb to the democracy of people and their deepest desire of living happily and freely without any fear.
When I say, I Love Karachi, I make an oath to myself, I make a commitment to myself that I will not let any negative force come between my integrity, my right of freedom and respect and my inalienable right of happiness and the prosperity of my city. That was the general idea, which, thanks to you, have come into words now.
P.S. An idea of possible car-stickers and t-shirts is also there. It’s only a matter of time and continuous motivation that you shall soon see them live.
Indeed Love is the most contagious of all human attributes. Love can overpower hate, and anger. I would personally call on all Karachiites and Friends of Karachi to take Ejaz Asi on his proposal to spread the Love around, show your fellow Citizens how much you care about your beloved City. Lets use to the POWER of LOVE to diffuse an already volatile situation. Build Karachi don't Destroy it needs to be our motto. Make it heard loud and clear.
This day, the 12th day of May 2007 will be remembered as a sad day for Pakistan. A pitiful day as one subscriber to the
SV-PAK list described in the following poem:
Pity the Nation"My friends and my road-fellows, ( even if you don't live near Share-ra-Faisal )
pity the nation that is full of beliefs and empty of religion.
"Pity the nation that wears a cloth it does not weave,
eats a bread it does not harvest, and drinks a wine
that flows not from its own winepress.
"Pity the nation that acclaims the bully as hero, and
that deems the glittering conqueror bountiful.
"Pity the nation that raises not its voice save when it walks in a funeral,
boasts not except among its ruins, and
will rebel not save when its neck is laid between the sword and the block.
"Pity the nation whose statesman is a fox,
whose philosopher is a juggler,
and whose art is the art of patching and mimicking.
"Pity the nation that welcomes its new ruler with
trumpetings, and farewells him with hootings, only
to welcome another with trumpetings again.
"Pity the nation divided into fragments, each fragment
deeming itself a nation.
"Pity the nation that is full of beliefs and empty of religion.
Pity the nation whose sages are dumb with years and
whose strong men are yet in the cradle. Khalil GibranThe garden of the
Prophet (1934 )
http://www.quotewor ld.org/category/ men/author/ kahlil-gibran --By Kidwai @ SV-PAKLong Live Karachi - the City of Lights, the City of Life!
Copyright C. Abdulrahman Rafiq 2007
