Opinion Karachi reversal

The MQM prefers the local government system,because it can retain its grip over cities like Karachi and Hyderabad by contesting and winning elections there,where there are many mohajir voters. The commissionerate system hands local governance to a commissioner from the bureaucracy,weakening the MQM’s position on its home turf. Altaf Hussain,last month,had pleaded with the army to intervene in Karachi. This week,the army’s top brass brainstormed over the restive situation in the city,Dawn reported: “While the army command appeared worried about the continuing wave of violence in the country’s commercial and financial hub that has so far claimed over 800 lives,it decided to stay out of the Karachi imbroglio and instead backed the government’s efforts for bringing back peace. The corps commanders conference,which is the military’s principal decision-making forum,was presided over by Army Chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani… It was for the first time during the current cycle of violence that the military publicly expressed its concerns over the law and order situation and at the same time turned down calls by political parties involved in the conflict for its intervention. The rare army statement on the situation in Karachi came after about 350 people were killed in July and the Karachi Stock Exchange,which is billed as the barometer of the country’s financial health,dipped to a four-month low last week,losing 6.7 per cent of its value.”

Ramzan ordinance

A female art curator of a popular art gallery and cafe in Lahore was reportedly manhandled by a local police officer for “wearing a sleeveless shirt and interacting with men.” Daily Times added: “He not only physically abused the young curator but also accused the gallery’s administration of spreading obscenity. Also,he abused the customers,including young females,for visiting the gallery to have meals or to watch the artworks on display in the gallery. The Punjab government has finally taken notice of the incident and has constituted an inquiry committee to probe the incident…”

In Faisalabad,as many as 25 people have been jailed for eating and serving food “in public view” during the fasting hours of the day. The Ehteram-e-Ramzan Ordinance,1981,promulgated by Zia-ul-Haq when president,bars anyone from eating,drinking or smoking in public who,under the tenets of Islam,is supposed to fast during Ramzan. Reportedly,the SHO also justified his behaviour with the art curator through the Ehteram-e-Ramzan Ordinance as the visitors were “viewing artwork and eating” during Ramzan.

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