In the history of Pakistan, May 12, 2007 will go down as one of its darkest days.For that is when peaceful protestors exercising their constitutional right to freedom of movementin Karachi were ambushed by suspected members of MQM, a coalition partner in both the government of Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital, and the federal government.The Police and Rangers stood by as the Opposition was ambushed by pre-positioned terrorists on bridges overlooking the road to the airport. Television filmed men in pools of blood, slowly dying before the cameras even while ambulances were being shot at.
This was not the first time that a rally was disrupted. Earlier in 2005, when Opposition leader Senator Zardari returned to Pakistan, thousands of people were arrested, baton-chargedand tear-gassed; while railways, buses and cars were stopped or impounded. No one took notice then. The neglect to take notice simply emboldened the supporters of state terrorism who let loose destruction in Karachi. Unless notice is taken now, the risk is that terrorists will slowly take over different parts of the country.
Indeed different parts of the country already appear to have been parceled out to different mafias, terrorists, thugs and hoodlums. The tribal areas have been conceded to the pro-Taliban forces with whom the regime signed a peace treaty. In areas of Frontier province different groups of militants control Tank, Bannu andMalakand.
Part of the capital Islamabad is under the shadow of the extremists led by the Red Mosque cleric. They have grabbed state land and kidnapped citizens, including policemen, with impunity. They patrol some streets at night intimidating women while threatening barbers, beauticians and those belonging to the entertainment industry. The police once again stand as bystanders.