One would not have written about May 12 if it did not keep repeating itself. Every time MQM wants to intimidate its rivals or even the High Court, May 12 is repeated.

Karachi is a state within a state, a police state with a difference. The police are told to take a back seat while armed activists take over. On May 12, armed activists replaced security forces on overhead bridges to shoot at the opposition processions, if one is to believe Sherry Rahman.

The Rangers were asked to lock themselves up in their posts, if one is to believe Asfandyar Wali Khan. The IG Police and the DG Rangers told the High Court chief justice that they were helpless.

That is when the locals decided to ‘go-to-the-mattresses’ and form their own gangs. The Lyari gangs are an equal and opposite reaction to the armed activists of MQM. Next we will see ANP carving out a Lyari of their own somewhere in Karachi.

Until the culprits of May 12 are not brought to book May 12 will keep repeating itself. As long as the perpetrators of May 12 go about in flagged cars, May 12 will keep repeating itself. Could May 12 have been avoided if the deposed Chief Justice had come on another day?

The answer lies in the statement of Wasim Akhtar made a dozen times on a dozen TV channels, shouting at the top of his voice, arms flailing, “We will come out every time you come out to receive Iftikhar Muhammad Choudry.” And the man is a coalition partner in the name of ‘mufahmat’. It is ‘mufahmat’ which is keeping the lid on May 12 and allowing it to repeat itself at will.

KHURSHID ANWER

Lahore