Political violence in Karachi kills 11 people today!!..

[The Noble Lord]

http://news.yahoo.com/political-viol...085044880.html

The army and the paramilitary forces should step in, you have the biggest Pakistani city and commercial and business hub of the country and some areas are under siege thanks to this latest wave of political and ethnic violence. Thousands of people couldn't even get out to buy groceries and other stuffs because of the situation. Only during last week and a half more than 100 people have been killed. It's explosive mix, you have political and ethnic instability and addon to that religious and criminal related violence and you have very dangerous situation.
Karachi is not on the Afghan border, it's not in the tribal areas or on the Indian border therefore Karachi should be at least stable to certain degree, after all it is the richest and most productive Pakistani city, it's not some small city that was populated by the pro-Taliban elements or Al Qaeda.
I know there is political machinations going on between the 3 most dominant parties, but government should step in already and do something, it's the nation's most important city by far.

[Ahlerich]

yesterday mumbai india today karachi pakistan? interesting..

[Redrum]

http://news.yahoo.com/political-viol...085044880.html

The army and the paramilitary forces should step in, you have the biggest Pakistani city and commercial and business hub of the country and some areas are under siege thanks to this latest wave of political and ethnic violence. Thousands of people couldn't even get out to buy groceries and other stuffs because of the situation. Only during last week and a half more than 100 people have been killed. It's explosive mix, you have political and ethnic instability and addon to that religious and criminal related violence and you have very dangerous situation.
Karachi is not on the Afghan border, it's not in the tribal areas or on the Indian border therefore Karachi should be at least stable to certain degree, after all it is the richest and most productive Pakistani city, it's not some small city that was populated by the pro-Taliban elements or Al Qaeda.
I know there is political machinations going on between the 3 most dominant parties, but government should step in already and do something, it's the nation's most important city by far.

I think this is normal in that city, nothing to worry about....it is known as the gang capital except the gangs are ethnically divided and supported by a political party. If you would want to get rid of the violence you need to get rid of the politically parties....

[The Noble Lord]

I think this is normal in that city, nothing to worry about....it is known as the gang capital except the gangs are ethnically divided and supported by a political party. If you would want to get rid of the violence you need to get rid of the politically parties....

I know what you saying, city of 18 million people has to have some level of violence and such. But this time is different, it's the large areas of the city that were almost under siege. Plus, it should've been the Pakistan's most stable city considering the fact that it is most "advanced" and "most westernized" in all of Pakistan. I've never been but my friend told me about country clubs, millionaire parties, fashion parades and luxury cars shows with long-legged models.

in the 90ties it was far worse. Basically a battle between the ANP-PPP vs MQM. Still it poses a serious risk, it's becoming more ethnic and the Taliban are creeping in, changing the dynamics of the conflict.

Actually according to the well respected Pakistani journalist Ahmad Rashid, this level of violence is unprecedented making it even more dangerous because it's the four factors that at play: politics, inter-ethnic animosities, Taliban and pro-Taliban groups and last but not least the well armed organized crime groups who have connections to the first three. It's not good, Pakistani military should step in and do some clean-up, they are over bloated with money and resources anyway, they should save their most important city in the entire country!!

[Gumpfendorfer]

I know what you saying, city of 18 million people has to have some level of violence and such. But this time is different, it's the large areas of the city that were almost under siege. Plus, it should've been the Pakistan's most stable city considering the fact that it is most "advanced" and "most westernized" in all of Pakistan. I've never been but my friend told me about country clubs, millionaire parties, fashion parades and luxury cars shows with long-legged models.

Karachi has been the most unstable city of Pakistan, always has. First the conflict between the Sindh and Mohajirs, after the arrival of Pashtun immigrants they joined the fight, a fight over land, jobs and control of the economy of Karachi. They fight over control of neighbourhoods, markets, businesses, Most of the fighting is amongst armed gangs/criminal gangs of the different ethnic groups.

Actually according to the well respected Pakistani journalist Ahmad Rashid, this level of violence is unprecedented making it even more dangerous because it's the four factors that at play: politics, inter-ethnic animosities, Taliban and pro-Taliban groups and last but not least the well armed organized crime groups who have connections to the first three. It's not good, Pakistani military should step in and do some clean-up, they are over bloated with money and resources anyway, they should save their most important city in the entire country!

In the past the Army was sent in to quell the unrest as well. What is changing is the growing influx of Pashtuns, altering the demographics. The Taliban however have no interest in turning Karachi into a battle zone, quite the opposite: It's their cash cow, place of retreat and connection to the outside world. Starting a war they are in no position of winning is not in their interest. The real danger Rashid is probably aiming at is the alteration of the ethnic mix, in a time where ethnic tension are on the rise all over the country in combination of growing unrest due to the economic crisis. In a city of 18 million the Army is as good as powerless to what is basically a political problem, fueled by all political parties.

[Gumpfendorfer]

Last week there were 55 in one day, in the 90ties it was far worse. Basically a battle between the ANP-PPP vs MQM. Still it poses a serious risk, it's becoming more ethnic and the Taliban are creeping in, changing the dynamics of the conflict.

[Babur]

Last week there were 55 in one day, in the 90ties it was far worse. Basically a battle between the ANP-PPP vs MQM. Still it poses a serious risk, it's becoming more ethnic and the Taliban are creeping in, changing the dynamics of the conflict.

well aren't the Pathans relatively recent arrivals to Karachi? since I though Karachi was predominantly Sindhi and Mohajir.I am not sure how popular Altaf Hussain is tbh.

[Manuel I Komnenos]

I guess it's time for NATO to move a bit to the east...

[Akar]

There should be a much stronger military presence in the city, so long as the military does not use excessive force and start shooting people. Though I think that goes without saying. One can only hope this ends quickly.