KARACHI: Peace group urges end to politics of hatred
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, May 18: While the ultimate victims of violence are women and children, it is the government’s constitutional responsibility to protect its citizens. Hence officialdom’s state of denial for taking responsibility for what occurred on May 12 is unacceptable.
This was stated at a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club on Friday, addressed by members of the Karachi Women’s Peace Committee (KWPC), a conglomeration of various civil society organisations.
It was pointed out that the government was elected into office under the oath that it would use its authority to protect the citizens and officiate by the rule of law.
“In the vicious power game between political parties and the obduracy of the sitting government, we, the people, and the nation, are the scapegoats and permanent victims,” said Nargis Rahman, Chairperson of the KWPC.
Speakers advised members of the opposition and all political parties to eschew the politics of hate, vengeance and egoism, as that would only escalate the crisis and disadvantage everyone, while damaging the future of democracy in Pakistan.
Those who spoke at the press conference included Justice (r) Majida Rizvi, President Soroptimist and Panah, Dr Salima Ahmed, President Pakistan Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Organisation, Anis Haroon, Director, Aurat Foundation, Prof Shaista Zaidi, President Bazme Aamna, Dr Naseem Salahuddin, President CEDF, Sabiha Shah, President Lyari Women Development, Prof Nuzhat William, President YWCA, and Begum Shirin Rahmatullah of the Senior Citizens Association.
They said that women were very much concerned in view of the continuing confrontation, polarization, intimidation, threats, accusations, and denials of responsibility, tantamount to a refusal to resolve the May 12 tragedy honestly.
The state of insurgency in the northern areas, bomb blasts, suicide attacks, religious extremism, the growing judicial crisis, the coming elections and deprivation of the masses were also areas of concern.
“We urge an end to rallies, processions and strike calls, as they will only compound the issues, weaken the economy and retard development and increase the sufferings of the people,” said a speaker.
“Women and children are suffering due to the misdeeds and violent acts committed by men,” said another member of the KWPC.
“We remember the sufferings of the present Sindh government’s majority partner, who endured great persecution at the hands of the then sitting government from 1994 to 1996, when their youth were killed in staged encounters, their children were orphaned and their homes were destroyed. Therefore, we could not understand why victory signs were being flashed at their rally 10 years later,” observed one speaker, adding that “we must remind them that their sufferings should have sensitised them to the sufferings of the helpless.”
They said a secure government did not have to prove its strength through rallies, but through delivery of services to the citizens and the solution of their problems, which were gradually being addressed by the present city government and a positive change was on the horizon.
They demanded that a judicial enquiry commission be constituted by men of unquestionable integrity and competence, and their findings should be circulated and the guilty prosecuted, so that justice could be done.
Besides, they demanded apologies be extended to the chief justice, lawyers, students and suitable compensation be paid to the families who lost their family members or their property in the wake of the violence.
They also demanded the withdrawal of rangers with shoot-to-kill orders that would further brutalise society, and urged a meaningful de-weaponisation of Karachi.
