The already complicated politics of Karachi, with their many twists and turns, just became more convoluted. Senior PPP leader Dr Asim Hussain, a close aide of former president Asif Ali Zardari, has had a case registered against him under Clause 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. He is accused of helping terrorists by providing them with medical treatment. Dr Asim, a key figure within the PPP, had been in the custody of the Rangers for 90 days and his ‘picking up’ had already provoked a storm. Further stormy weather could lie ahead. Along with Sindh provincial minister Sharjeel Memon, Dr Asim has also been placed on the Exit Control List by NAB. Memon is currently in Dubai. He had been caught up in a kidnapping case but apparently been exonerated after police and other witnesses withdrew from naming him directly in the matter. Memon has said he will return home in ten days; the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Khursheed Shah of the PPP, has said he is unlikely to. We have immediately had protesting voices raised by PPP leaders in Karachi. Information Minister Nisar Khuhro has said there were no proven charges against either of the two men and that the actions taken are based on no proof at all. In other words, he has implied victimisation. This then is the key problem. Is what we’re seeing in Sindh multiple acts of victimisation against political groups carried out by the Rangers or are the actions genuinely intended to tackle corruption and crime? Are the Rangers overstepping their boundaries as has been alleged? All these are complex questions. It is important that the process being used against key leaders be as transparent and open as possible. We need to know precisely what is happening and what evidence exists. Only opening up matters will truly help clear the political mess and issues that have now plagued Sindh politics for years. It is high time this mess was cleared up. But how the authorities go about it is important as well. If there are any doubts, if further political tensions are created, it would simply aggravate an already unsavoury situation. It is clear there is crime in Karachi; it is also clear it is linked to politics but to clean it up the safest possible means need to be used and people persuaded there is nothing at stake but the best interests of a city that has been locked in a state of war for far too long. Peace and calm in Karachi must be the ultimate aim and there must be no bias in reaching this goal.
