MOTHERS mourning deaths of sons, numbers of widows increasing, children becoming orphans and all this for what? Nobody knows what is going around him, killers are roaming around the city killing innocent residents mercilessly. Although eight to 10 persons die every day as a result of targeted killings, the government and law-enforcement agencies appear to be rendered helpless.

Search operations initiated by the government have had little effect on the killing spree. So goes the tale of Karachi for the last four-and-a-half years.

So far more 2,200 people died in Karachi. Most of those killed were bread-winners. Their families are now left high and dry.

How worse is the situation can be gauged from the fact that the sister of President Asif Zardari has also sought additional security for her in order to be able to move around in Karachi safely.

Karachi is a city of 20 million people belonging to different ethnicity, religions, and languages. Also, it is Pakistan’s economic hub having a very high share of contribution to the national exchequer. In any other part of the country if there is a problem of any sort, mostly it is the area itself that suffers but in the case of Karachi’s turbulence the whole country suffers.

The government should put all interests aside and rise to the occasion to restore peace to Karachi. The government should also call a meeting of all religious scholars and direct them to promote peace and religious harmony in their sermons. Let us hope and pray that Karachi returns to its normal self and its status as the city of lights is restored soon.

KHURRAM ZIA KHAN Karachi