The Karachi Voter Is Ready To Look Beyond Ethnic Identities

With the arrival of new political entity in form of the Mustafa Kamal led Pak Sarzameen Party in the electoral landscape of Karachi, complimented by improved law and order, it is safe to predict that the next general polls will give more choice to the residents of the metropolis on the ballot paper in a safe law and order situation. But will the Karachittes cash on the opportunity? We don’t know. Should they? Certainly.

This is a fact, not an analysis that the city despite being financial hub of the country has failed to grow as per its potential.It may have achieved an artificial peace and stability for a brief time period, but whenever strict security presence is taken off from the streets, the metropolis begins to plunge back in the senseless cruel string of violence.

Till the moment development of the city all across the board is not prioritized, and the basic necessity woes are not addressed, no matter how many security operations are conducted, peace in Karachi will remain vulnerable. The recent Karachi Operation has indeed achieved its goals, but the security apparatus can’t prolong the stability without political backing.

This coming election, which is hopefully just round the corner, is a chance for the Karachi to pay back to its security forces, by choosing politics of development over politics of ethnicity, for the sake of their security and peace.

And this can only happen if the people choose to vote on the criteria of progress and development, not on the similarity of ethnicity.

Can it happen? Going by the previous results of the general polls, it appears that the metropolis wholeheartedly voted for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from all over the city, without giving consideration to any ethnic bias. Why the PTI managed to bag only one national assembly, or failed to continue its momentum against the then Muttahida Qaumi Movement, is a separate argument.

It may be a surprise for political analysts, but those who are on ground do realize that the resident of Karachi has the potential tendency to shun the ethnic politics. Indeed, it won’t be a matter of surprise if a Pashtun chose to vote for an Urdu-speaking candidate or vice versa.

The presence of non-Urdu speaking people at the recent gathering of the Pak Sarzameen Party at the Liaquatabad proves that the city is ready to move beyond the shallow slogans of ethnic nationalism, to achieve collective benefits. A correct political strategy, a timely electoral campaign and a sincere message can drastically change the political mindset of the city.

With the influx of immigrants from all over the country, and an emerging middle class which is more concerned about its socio-economic standing than its identity, the political dynamics of Karachi is bound to change – the question is not of if but when. The earlier the parties who have stake in the city realize it, the better it would be for the city.

Hopefully, the voter standing in the queue to cast his vote will realize that it’s not the language but the words being spoken in the language which matter to his wellbeing.
May the Bahadurabad office, Mardan House and Bilawal House follow the precedent being set by the Pakistan House.

Pakistan Zindabad.

By: TAHA AHMED KHAN