Express Tribune Editorials 8th March 2025
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2025 4:15 am
Karachi's killer streets
Karachi has always had a reputation for lawlessness, but recent months have seen a spike in violence that harkens to the worst periods in the megacity's history. At least 19 people have been killed this year in street crimes - including five in five days earlier this week — leaving citizens to grapple with the fear of becoming the next victim of violence as the police continue their rich tradition of not knowing how to police the city. Despite at least 106 people being murdered during street crimes last year, there seems to be little impetus to address the problem this year.
And it is not just the murder rate that illustrates police incompetence. A fair argument can be made that the rate of deadly street crimes is low, relative to the rate of street crimes overall. Over 72,000 street crimes were recorded last year, or about 200 every day, or one every seven minutes.
While law enforcement does occasionally make conscientious attempts to combat this trend, the existing strategies have proven inadequate. The arrest of one or two "high-profile" criminals does little to solve the larger problem when there is a constant influx of new offenders.
While some are driven by factors such as poverty, unemployment and lack of education — which can be blamed on the failures of elected officials at local, provincial and federal levels — far too many first-time criminals get into the business because they know it is highly unlikely that the Karachi police will ever catch them. But even if the police can't or won't do their jobs, elected officials need to do more than criticise the police and focus on their own jobs, particularly addressing the environmental factors that make people willing to cause harm to their fellow citizens' life and property.
Making Karachi safe should be a national priority, because, as the country's commercial capital, for better or worse, it is where a disproportionate amount of foreign investment must go, and no company wants to invest in a city where their employees are constantly at risk of being killed during their morning commute.
March 8: beyond celebration
Women's Day is often marked by floral tributes and speeches honouring the achievements of women. But in Pakistan, this day carries a weight far heavier than mere recognition. It serves as a stark reminder of the two realities that define the lives of women in this country. On one hand, there are women who have defied societal norms and broken barriers to carve out spaces for themselves. On the other, millions remain trapped in cycles of oppression, their potential crushed under the weight of patriarchy and injustice.
Pakistan has produced formidable women who have left an indelible mark on history. From Asma Jahangir's fearless fight for human rights to Malala Yousafzai's unwavering advocacy for education, from trailblazing athletes to enterprising entrepreneurs, there is no shortage of examples of resilience and excellence. These women have not only challenged the status quo but have also paved the way for future generation of women. However, their success stories should not overshadow the grim realities faced by countless others who are denied basic education, who suffer in silence under domestic violence, whose careers are cut short by workplace harassment, and who are victims of honour killings and forced marriages.
Despite legal protections and growing awareness, Pakistan remains one of the lowest-ranked countries in gender equality. Women continue to be underrepresented in decision-making roles, and economic opportunities remain limited. While movements like Aurat March have brought critical issues to the forefront, change has been met with resistance from entrenched patriarchal structures. Laws exist, but their implementation is weak. Awareness is increasing, but mindsets remain rigid. Women's Day must not be reduced to token gestures. It must serve as a call to action demanding stronger policies, greater enforcement of rights, and ultimately a shift in societal attitudes.
Utopian claim
India, at times, thinks it can simply get away by ignoring the reality. That apparently has been the political discourse of BJP dispensation for long as it floats unrealistic visions such as Ghar-Wapsi and Hindutva. Similar was an utterance at a Chatham House in London wherein External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar urged Pakistan to "vacate" Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), and quite undiplomatically termed it as the "stolen part of (Indian) Kashmir". The exalted minister-cum-diplomat has undermined his stature by echoing the sentiments of RSS and the likes, that are literally in contravention of stated principles of bilateralism between India and Pakistan, as well as writ of UN resolutions on the disputed territory.
Pakistan was quick to reject the utopian claims by India, and reminded it that the dispute of Kashmir is yet to be resolved, and that too in accordance with the wishes of the people of Jammu & Kashmir through an independent plebiscite. Moreover, Islamabad has left no stone unturned in convincing New Delhi to hit the table for talks, and its civilian and military leadership have walked extra miles to purport the idea that normalisation of relations can precede before the dispute is addressed at an opportune moment.
The world, and Mr Jaishankar, need to be once again reminded that it is India's leadership that had spoken from the pulpit of 'invading' Pakistan and carried out extraterritorial missions by flying sorties inside AJK. Thus, comments such as "return of the stolen part of Kashmir which is under illegal Pakistani occupation" are unwarranted, and go on to exhibit India's hegemonic mindset.
The substance cited by the Indian minister that it is close to 'resolving' the dispute by abrogating the occupied state's special status under the Indian constitution, and by ushering in development are meant for political consumption. The fact is that an unresolved Kashmir is a threat to regional peace and security, and possesses the potential of pitching two nuclear states in utter annihilation. India would be better advised to think globally but act locally by resolving the Kashmir dispute.
Karachi has always had a reputation for lawlessness, but recent months have seen a spike in violence that harkens to the worst periods in the megacity's history. At least 19 people have been killed this year in street crimes - including five in five days earlier this week — leaving citizens to grapple with the fear of becoming the next victim of violence as the police continue their rich tradition of not knowing how to police the city. Despite at least 106 people being murdered during street crimes last year, there seems to be little impetus to address the problem this year.
And it is not just the murder rate that illustrates police incompetence. A fair argument can be made that the rate of deadly street crimes is low, relative to the rate of street crimes overall. Over 72,000 street crimes were recorded last year, or about 200 every day, or one every seven minutes.
While law enforcement does occasionally make conscientious attempts to combat this trend, the existing strategies have proven inadequate. The arrest of one or two "high-profile" criminals does little to solve the larger problem when there is a constant influx of new offenders.
While some are driven by factors such as poverty, unemployment and lack of education — which can be blamed on the failures of elected officials at local, provincial and federal levels — far too many first-time criminals get into the business because they know it is highly unlikely that the Karachi police will ever catch them. But even if the police can't or won't do their jobs, elected officials need to do more than criticise the police and focus on their own jobs, particularly addressing the environmental factors that make people willing to cause harm to their fellow citizens' life and property.
Making Karachi safe should be a national priority, because, as the country's commercial capital, for better or worse, it is where a disproportionate amount of foreign investment must go, and no company wants to invest in a city where their employees are constantly at risk of being killed during their morning commute.
March 8: beyond celebration
Women's Day is often marked by floral tributes and speeches honouring the achievements of women. But in Pakistan, this day carries a weight far heavier than mere recognition. It serves as a stark reminder of the two realities that define the lives of women in this country. On one hand, there are women who have defied societal norms and broken barriers to carve out spaces for themselves. On the other, millions remain trapped in cycles of oppression, their potential crushed under the weight of patriarchy and injustice.
Pakistan has produced formidable women who have left an indelible mark on history. From Asma Jahangir's fearless fight for human rights to Malala Yousafzai's unwavering advocacy for education, from trailblazing athletes to enterprising entrepreneurs, there is no shortage of examples of resilience and excellence. These women have not only challenged the status quo but have also paved the way for future generation of women. However, their success stories should not overshadow the grim realities faced by countless others who are denied basic education, who suffer in silence under domestic violence, whose careers are cut short by workplace harassment, and who are victims of honour killings and forced marriages.
Despite legal protections and growing awareness, Pakistan remains one of the lowest-ranked countries in gender equality. Women continue to be underrepresented in decision-making roles, and economic opportunities remain limited. While movements like Aurat March have brought critical issues to the forefront, change has been met with resistance from entrenched patriarchal structures. Laws exist, but their implementation is weak. Awareness is increasing, but mindsets remain rigid. Women's Day must not be reduced to token gestures. It must serve as a call to action demanding stronger policies, greater enforcement of rights, and ultimately a shift in societal attitudes.
Utopian claim
India, at times, thinks it can simply get away by ignoring the reality. That apparently has been the political discourse of BJP dispensation for long as it floats unrealistic visions such as Ghar-Wapsi and Hindutva. Similar was an utterance at a Chatham House in London wherein External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar urged Pakistan to "vacate" Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), and quite undiplomatically termed it as the "stolen part of (Indian) Kashmir". The exalted minister-cum-diplomat has undermined his stature by echoing the sentiments of RSS and the likes, that are literally in contravention of stated principles of bilateralism between India and Pakistan, as well as writ of UN resolutions on the disputed territory.
Pakistan was quick to reject the utopian claims by India, and reminded it that the dispute of Kashmir is yet to be resolved, and that too in accordance with the wishes of the people of Jammu & Kashmir through an independent plebiscite. Moreover, Islamabad has left no stone unturned in convincing New Delhi to hit the table for talks, and its civilian and military leadership have walked extra miles to purport the idea that normalisation of relations can precede before the dispute is addressed at an opportune moment.
The world, and Mr Jaishankar, need to be once again reminded that it is India's leadership that had spoken from the pulpit of 'invading' Pakistan and carried out extraterritorial missions by flying sorties inside AJK. Thus, comments such as "return of the stolen part of Kashmir which is under illegal Pakistani occupation" are unwarranted, and go on to exhibit India's hegemonic mindset.
The substance cited by the Indian minister that it is close to 'resolving' the dispute by abrogating the occupied state's special status under the Indian constitution, and by ushering in development are meant for political consumption. The fact is that an unresolved Kashmir is a threat to regional peace and security, and possesses the potential of pitching two nuclear states in utter annihilation. India would be better advised to think globally but act locally by resolving the Kashmir dispute.