Karachi

Even though the our father the great Jinnah told us that the only way we could prosper would be if live united amongst each other and stopped thinking ourselves as Sindhis, Punjabis, Baluchis, Pathans and Mahajirs, but instead took everyone  under the same banner as a Pakistani. So here is the greatest mistake all of us have made not once, not twice but in every step and sphere of our lives. We refuse to renounce ourselves with what we really are and so is the greatest city in Pakistan, its central hub, its metropolitan city, its financial center and its former capital the greatest target of, fragmentation.

Karachi is the melting pot of Pakistan. Different individuals from different ethical backgrounds and races come and meet here. As it is the urban center of the country and the financial hub many different people meet there economic needs here. This causes heavy migration within the country to the city leading all types of individuals to come and recede here. They do live amongst each other but they never blend in. From the khyabans in defence to the kacha roads in lyari you will see millions of people with thousands of different living, conversing, eating, meeting and celebrating styles. These people have brought in their different cultures but not all got the importance they deserved. Some believe themselves and their cultures and styles of living to be above the others, giving birth to such diversified views and degradations.  You will see that the elite in the defence will have a very degrading attitude towards the working class and especially the low class of the low income societies. Their belief that they are above all because of their financial backgrounds have blinded them of the unity of the millions that led to the creation of this state. They forget that it took thousands of sacrifices and tons of blood to draw the lines between the two nations. They forget that the unity if not gained again will take the country down the drain. Karachi thus becomes the prime example of this “class” diversion. Karachi is so divided that half of it is ruled by the sindhis, the remaining by mahajirs and some parts of it by pathans. It seems impossible for them to live together. Every now and then we hear news of fights amongst the pathans and the mahajirs. Innocent lives are lost because of these riots. Property destroyed, cars burnt and innocents tortured.

A nation so divided can never progress. We must remember that the tale of the sticks, in which on stick can be broken very easily but if a bunch is created it takes much more than just easy to break them off. We must not allow the “others” to divide and rule over us again. We suffered it long ago, we must learn from history.

Asad Dalal