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Kati-Pahari interchange wall may spark ethnic violence

By Salis bin Perwaiz

Karachi

A spate of violence may erupt in the coming weeks at Kati-Pahari in te Shahrah-e-Noor Jehan police limits, because the National Highway Authority (NHA) in coordination with City District Government Karachi (CDGK) is constructing a wall on one side of the Kati-Pahari interchange between Orangi and North Nazimabad towns.

According to sources, following the construction of the Orangi-North Nazimabad interchange after cutting a hill of Shahrah-e-Noor Jehan, a dispute developed between various political groups, while some transporters started parking heavy vehicles at the side of the interchange. Furthermore, some criminal elements exploited the situation by robbing commuters passing through this interchange.

Several meetings were held between law-enforcers, town Nazims and other quarters concerned in this regard. The NHA and the CDGK decided to construct a wall on one side of the interchange, after which the four lanes entering Shahrah-e-Noor Jehan were closed. Interestingly, the wall is not being constructed on the other side of the interchange due to which anger prevails among certain segment of the area residents.

The affected residents allege injustice on the part of the administrators, saying that no water tankers, ambulances and other vehicles have been able to enter their areas after the closure of four lanes owing to the construction of the wall. “Why is the administration only constructing the wall on Shahrah-e-Noor Jehan and not on the other side up to Orangi Town,” they asked. The residents have launched a protest against this plan and have warned that they will not allow the construction of the wall on their side.

Fearing a law-and order-situation, the authorities concerned, including the North Nazimabad Town Nazim, wrote a letter to higher officials of the Sindh Police for deputing a police force at Kati-Pahari in connection with the construction of safety/protection wall.

In his reply to the town Nazim, SP North Nazimabad Town Nasir Muneef stated: “Your office is well aware of the deficiency of the department available at North Nazimabad. The deficiency in force is coupled with logistics required for the smooth operation in an already-troubled area. While posing a major law-and-order issue, it would also compromise the crime control-strategy as was witnessed on the May 20, 2009, where a similar operation was planned and mobiles were called in.

“Being the SP of the area, it is my duty to assist and to convey the threats involved in any action that bears and affects upon law and order and crime. Therefore, I hereby take this opportunity to inform you of the following very important and risky aspects of such operation.

“The Kati Pahari area is a volatile area and any operation rendering economic or social effects can cause ethnic tension in the area. Howsoever pure and genuine the extension be in favour of the people of the area and for the development of the area, the attempt shall backfire if the stakeholders are not taken on board. Therefore, it is recommended that all stakeholders of the area be taken on board for a more fruitful activity in smooth manner.

“Hence the proposed wall is largely effecting Pakhtoon population and, therefore, the said community be taken on board. Intelligence reports received at this office through reliable sources suggested that the action by town administration of city government might be ill-conceived, as the wall and its builders shall be under constant threat. It is, therefore, urged that a political solution be sought in this regard.

“Such operation requires the highest degree of preparation. To start with, there must be a strong contingency plan for all involved in maintaining law and order. A proper plan of deployment and the understanding of pickets of resistance along with such elements as are supportive of action as planned must be available with the law enforces. It is once again strongly urged that the proposed construction be postponed till such time as and when parties to such conflict as might arise get pacified and fears of conflict are controlled.”

The SP stated that North Nazimabad and Orangi happen to be very sensitive towns and if violence sparks from this issue it will instantly affect New Karachi Town and the rest of Karachi as well.