CLAIM TO FAME: Bravely enduring the chaos caused by Ideas 2004
IN situations where the rule of the jungle, that is, survival of the fittest applies, Karachiites come through very well.
Over the years they have gone through so much chaos that they have become used to going about their daily businesses amidst all sorts of disorganized situations. However, the stress, trouble and frustrations they face as a result is altogether a different matter, and of no great concern to those who hold the reins of the city and the country.
Last week, for four days (September 13-17) Karachiites once again showed their ability to survive when life gets topsy-turvy. They were playing host to Ideas 2004, the annual defence exhibition at the Expo Centre, in the heart of the populated and busy Hasan Square. Carrying the theme ‘Weapons for Peace,’ the exhibition had all kinds of weaponry and war machines on display and with our dear President Musharraf himself inaugurating the grand occasion. There were also other very important local and foreign delegates at the exhibition and seminar. So great care was taken in making the arrangements.
For days before the D-day, the Expo Centre appeared like a mini-military base, with tanks and rockets and what not being set-up for display. Days before the event took off, disruption of normal vehicular and pedestrian traffic on the roads around the exhibition site started. No different was the situation around the Army House where the VVIPs were to stay. As early as Friday night saw a section of the city’s premier thoroughfare, Shahra-i-Faisal, blocked and the traffic diverted. During the exhibition days, Sir Shah Mohammad Suleman Road from Hasan Square to the National Stadium remained closed as it led to the sensitive defence exhibition site. Parking around the area was prohibited, despite the fact that it’s a busy commercial and business district, with the Civic Centre, the city government headquarters, just across the road. So concerned were the authorities for the discomfort of the workers and visitors to the Civic Centre that they deemed it best to ask the government offices’ staff there to go home and enjoy the day off, while the law enforcement personnel took over the building. A day off was what the Civic Centre workers deserved as it was no ordinary day — the president himself would be visiting the area and ordinary mortals had no business being around him.
The blockades and diversions at other parts of the city where the VVIPs were staying or passing through meant Karachiites spending hours in their cars, stuck in traffic jams or on longer alternative routes. Sweating, fuming and indulging in arguments with fellow drivers were all that the commuters could do. And the presence of so many gun-slinging guys kept any notions of protest and resistance out of their minds.
If the military is so security-conscious of its equipment and personnel, then they should hold such events on the premises of its bases where it would not be bothered by the presence of civilians and their ordinary everyday activities. As for the president, one feels a person of his stature and importance should stay close to his headquarters, particularly with attempts on his life having taken place more than once. We, the Karachiites, will not be able to forgive ourselves if, God forbid, anything happens to him in our city. So please, Mr president, limit your visit to the Quaid’s city so that you can have some rest in peace and so can the Karachiites. And it is so kind of you to say that the successful arrangement of Ideas 2004 exhibition was an honour for the people of Karachi. As we were even barred from passing the roads your convoy passed through, we are sorry not to have waved to you to show our gratitude at honouring us with your presence. —S. A. Kamal
NAME: Karachiite
