News
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Karachi: Naseer Formula, not army
By Raja Riaz
LAHORE: The sane elements in the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have strongly opposed the idea of calling troop in Karachi and suggested to apply ‘Naseerullah Babar Formula’ to normalise the situation in the city.
The party stalwarts and the government’s top brass discussed the situation of Karachi at length in a series of high level meetings held in Karachi and Islamabad. The much-debated point was why the bloodshed started in a series and who were the key players in this game. Top political leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and senior members of the Sindh government participated in the meetings and shared their notes. The civil officials gave their input and the reports prepared by the civil and military intelligence agencies were examined. It was noticed that miscreants have political patronage and roots in politico-religious parties having stakes in Karachi.
The reports indicate that almost every political party is tainted with the presence of such elements in their ranks. The meeting observed that civil agencies have failed to cope with the situation owing to certain pressures in their way to take action against miscreants.
The issue of calling in troops came under discussion but there was a lack of consensus on the issue as some ministers from the Sindh government supported the idea but the others strongly opposed it.
The saner elements were of the view that history showed whenever the military is called in a specific area it has led to the martial law in the country. General Azam’s martial law in 50s is a case in point. The senior party leaders said that the act would not only give an impression of the failure of the civil administration but also the inability of the political leadership to deal with the situation.
It was always discussed that if the military is called in and the situation is handed over to a few political forces they would extend their demand to invite international peacekeeping forces in the city to ensure impartiality.
The opponents suggested alternative solution – ‘Naseerullah Babar Formula.’ This formula was discussed and the participants were told that though Babar is resting in eternal peace, his team members are still alive. It was told that his team had 26 members, including Major (r) Masood Sharif Khatak and former IB joint director general Tariq Lodhi. Some are retired but their services can be hired to implement the formula. It was suggested that taking guidelines from that formula, the FC personnel and Rangers should be put in the front row backed by the Sindh Police. Sindh CID department, IB and Special Branch should be made pro-active and input from the military intelligence institution also be assured.
It was suggested that in the first phase targeted operation should be launched and the men in the lists prepared by the secret agencies should be rounded up and then the operation be extended to other areas.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk