SPOTLIGHT: The strange case of Nabil Gabol, Minister of state!: Has security gone bonkers in Karachi? Does anyone know what is happening?

Q: Who did not order the Karachi Operation?
A: Easy! Dr Zulfiqar Mirza did not order it. CM Qaim Ali Shah did not order it. Interior Minister Rehman Malik did not order it.
Q: Who did order the Karachi Operation?
A: Pass!
The government gives advance notice to all (terrorists and target killers included) that an operation against them under curfew is imminent. Then suddenly hundreds of motorcyclists are apprehended for pillion riding on motor bikes and actually put in jail. In hundreds of homes that night parents, wives, sons and daughters waited in suspense and anxiety (the situation in Karachi being what it is these days) till late in the night or even beyond next morning, for sons, husbands, fathers who neither came back home at the usual hour nor was any phone call received from them which would explain that. Then an operation starts on Orangi where Rangers swoop on houses and arrest hundreds in their pre-announced hunt for target killers. The Sindh Home Minister, with responsibility for security, denies any knowledge of the massive operation. The Federal Interior Minister, responsible for security in the country, also denies having ordered it. Two days later aging Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister, who sits a few miles from Orangi, joins in the "not aware" chorus. Let us look at the day to day development of this comedy which would be funny but for the despair and misery to which thousands of citizens were put in the name of ensuring their security.
Curfew notice or "get away while you can"!
On Sunday, 16 January 2011 advance notice of partial curfew in parts of the city was announced by Interior Minister Rehman Malik (of the "Qul" fame among other things) "to control targeted killings". Asked many: was this "advance warning to killers to get ready to be captured"! MQM and ANP allies of PPP in the Sindh government denied all knowledge of the imminent curfew.
Pillion riders (not killers) apprehended en masse!
On Monday 17 January 2011, the police achieved "great success" in a major swoop lasting the whole day and well into Tuesday morning, when it pounced on motorcyclists guilty of violating the on-again off-again ban on pillion riding, hauled up an unprecedented 500 plus hapless citizens and put them in jail overnight, also a first in respect of this particular violation. One complained to the media that police took away his cell phone so he was unable to inform his family of his predicament and to warn them that he would not come home that night. Thousands of people - unwary men, women and children - must have thus spent a miserable and sleepless night thanks, to the remarkable, dutiful diligence of the police. Many were heard to say if only police were half as vigilant against pillion-riding target killers, how different things would be for this great metropolis!
Windfall and choice words for police:
On Tuesday, 18 January 2011, the police continued to be preoccupied with action against pillion riders and produced them before all four district courts of the city, which were reported to be presenting a fish market like scenario on the day. It was reported that the police took bribes of Rs 500 to 1,000 from the accused for the benefit of quicker presentation before the courts. Others had to wait a full 24 hours or more for the privilege. The honourable courts eventually released nearly all "offenders" against surety or personal bonds or cash, who were finally home bound with some choice words on their lips for the police and the rulers!
Rangers not lagging behind, either:
Also on Tuesday, 18 January 2011, while the police were thus preoccupied with the windfall that came their way, Rangers "backed by two helicopters" were swooping down on the residents of Orangi Town's Faqeer Colony. If police were in "operation wholesale", why would Rangers remain behind? They captured 300 men, young and old. Most turned out to be ordinary people. Should one express surprise that the operation was entirely successful in that no shots were fired and no violence was faced? A full 72 hours after the operation was announced (and the announcement endlessly repeated) would any one of the men sought by Rangers have remained in the city for the rangers to capture? It is difficult to believe the stupidity involved in the plan of the "operation"!
No owners for the operation!
As we said above neither Zulfiqar Mirza, nor Rehman Malik nor even Qaim Ali Shah would admit any knowledge of the operation! Sindh CM's ignorance did not surprise anyone since his right hand does not usually know what his left hand was doing! It was left to the government spokespersons to offer an explanation of sorts: they said the Rangers had been authorised to carry an operation in the mega city. They appeared to imply that they did not need to inform any one about the actual timing. A very strange explanation considering the size of the operation and the number of people arrested. One is left wondering what is actually happening and if anyone is speaking the truth!
Mystery solved?
On Thursday, 20 January 2011, both Rehman Malik and Dr Zulfiqar Mirza finally totally disowned the operation in Orangi and Malik Saheb called it an "administrative mistake" according to a newspaper report. He did not follow up on this, however, to tell us who wasresponsible for this "administrative mistake" and whether someone would be held accountable for adding more disturbance to an already much disturbed scenario. Sorry, he did come back on Saturday 22 January 2011 to tell the world: "I only followed what I was asked to do by the President and prime minister". Mystery solved or pushed one notch up? Take it "as you like it", as Shakespeare said!
The strange case of Nabil Gabol!
A massive operation, which no one owned, was not the only "funny" (or "unfunny" if you like), thing happening in this miserable city last week. Let us look at the strange case of a PPP minister of state in the federal cabinet. Did he resign or did not resign? Did the police raid the minister's residence or it did not? Did Gabol go into hiding or he did not? Was Gabol's name put in the ECL or was it not? Did Gabol apologize to Asfandyar Wali or did he not? (About the raid on his residence the police said they only took away his guards following his resignation; how come? Are not many other ministers who have resigned weeks and months ago still continuing to enjoy their perks in respect of security, transport, accommodation and so on?)
Playing games
Gabol's complaint was that he was a minister without powers, that he was not in the loop in decision-making in his portfolio (Ports and Shipping) and that he was not able to help people in his constituency (presumably in providing them jobs) and for good measure that he was opposed to the operation being carried out in his constituency (Lyari) without taking him into confidence. Which of these if any was his real grouse? What was Gabol's offense? It seems he likened the two allies of PPP in the Sindh government - MQM and ANP - to two quarreling "Sowkans" (wives sharing one husband) with there being no one man enough to pacify them (a sideswipe at Qaim Ali Shah or at PM Gilani?). He is also reported to have made a snide remark against Asfandyar Wali. With his loud mouthing he appears to have upset the two allies as well as President Zardari, who had recently urged PPP people not to aim barbs towards allies, serious inter-party differences notwithstanding. The comedy finally ended with Gabol back in his previous perch.
A government, faced with extreme poverty of the people, dwindling financial resources, without enough power to run industry or light homes, without adequate infrastructure, teetering on the verge of insolvency, certainly finds time to play games! ([email protected])