THIS is with reference to the report ‘Police action to clear roads of protesters sparks violence’ (Jan 1). The recent crisis in Parachinar region in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, marked by sectarian conflict and human suffering, did reach alarming proportions.

The tragic situation underscored the clear failure of the provincial government and local administration to address the crisis effectively. It was a failure that demanded accountability and provided ample grounds for public outrage.

Having said that, the choice of Karachi as the epicentre of protests related to the happenings in Parachinar was beyond comprehension. To keep life paralysed in the country’s economic hub for days was an act that has raised many an eyebrow. The demands of the protesters were completely justified. But, why were they being directed at the Sindh government and Karachi administration?

The KP government should have been the one made to answer. Even the choice of Islamabad, being the federal capital, would have made sense.

The decision to stage protests in Karachi, instead of Peshawar or Islamabad, not only disrupted life in the megacity, but also misdirected public and political attention away from the actual problem. It was ironic that the protesting party, an ally of the ruling party in the KP, did not choose to put pressure on the very government that was responsible for resolving the crisis.

Protests are a legitimate form of demo-cratic expression, but their effectiveness hinges on targeting the right stakeholders. Karachi’s authorities lacked the jurisdiction and the capacity to address grievances in another province.

The implications of this misdirected activism were significant. For Karachi’s residents, the protests were an unwarran-ted burden, which compounded the challenges they already face in an overstretched and under-resourced city.

As for the people of Parachinar, the protests in Karachi diverted attention from their plight and delayed meaningful action. For the country as a whole, the episode serves as a stark reminder of the need for clear lines of accountability and responsible leadership.

The Parachinar crisis and its fallout demand immediate attention of all the relevant authorities. The key word here, indeed, is ‘relevant’. The KP government must now urgently act to restore peace, ensure the delivery of essential supplies, and address the root cause of the conflict through dialogue and reforms.

Gulab Umid
Turbat

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2025