KARACHI: The team of law enforcement officials in Dubai finally got a month’s extension on their visit visas as they need time to fight for custody of Peoples Aman Committee leader Uzair Jan Baloch.

It has been a month since the interior ministry directed the federal and provincial authorities to speed up Uzair’s extradition from Dubai. As the case continues to unfold, with a new twist and turn day after day, it is, however, pertinent to consider what will change for Lyari if the law enforcement personnel get Uzair’s custody.

Take a look: Proxy wars continue in Lyari

Since his arrest in December 2014, the area has plunged into an even deeper abyss as unlike the earlier ‘commandos’, who were at the beck and call of the kingpin; there is no one to control the young guns from unleashing terror on men, women and children.

At present, Kalri, Kalakot and Singhu Lane are scenes of incessant firing that starts half an hour before sunset and continues till the call for the maghrib prayers.

Mohammad Hanif, 17, better known as Deejay, is at present running Uzair’s group. Similarly, Noor Mohammad alias Baba Ladla’s gang is being run by another 17-year-old, known as Sadiq Gaddani.

There are others in the same age group in various lanes of Lyari. People from the area told Dawn over telephone that the young commandos got involved in long-drawn gun battles only to contain and restrict each group to their respective areas.

Residents and Pakistan Peoples Party insiders say that of the 11 union councils, three are under the control of Baba Ladla’s men, which include Dubai Chowk, Kalri, Rexer Lane (where infighting between another group known as the Lashari gang is also gaining momentum), and a lane opposite the Lyari General Hospital.

The other UCs are said to be controlled by Uzair’s army of young men. “They indulge in loot and plunder at will,” said a resident and primary schoolteacher from Lyari, Mohammad Abbas.

Explaining the scenario and its possible outcome, PPP president of PS-111 constituency Adnan Baloch says that despite the “good work done by the Rangers, the firing, street crimes, and looting continues unabated with no chances of it stopping soon.” And he says he has reasons to believe so.

“Last year, a ceasefire was announced and it was honoured for a week or two. But soon afterwards, the situation took a U-turn,” says Adnan, adding that “the basic reason is, some people from the elders committee don’t want the situation to stabilise and to a very large extent the continuation of gang warfare is more political than a fight for material resources.”

The political fight, according to another PPP activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity, is the territorial war with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in areas such as Mundhra Mohalla, Agra Taj Colony and Bihar Colony apart from Kharadar and Ghaas Mandi.

Uzair’s extradition in this case will “further bolster his position in Lyari”, says Adnan.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play