THE violence in Karachi reminds me of a 1960s’ western film The Magnificent Seven, starring Yul Brynner.

It is about bandits terrorising farmers of a village to pay ‘protection money’.

A group of these bandits ride on horses to remind the farmers, and one of them pulls out his gun and shoots one farmer dead. The leader very casually threatens the farmers: “No protection money, no protection.”

The Magnificent Seven encouraged the farmers to fight back and join in with them to confront the bandits. The farmers armed themselves with spears, axes, whatever weapons they could lay their hands on as they were not trained fighters.

Are we living in an era where there is no civilisation?

RAFI AHMED Karachi

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...