Karachi is the trade hub of the country, and as any economist will tell you, when an urban centre is developed without enough attention to rural or even semi urban areas, rural-urban migration is only natural. Karachi thus attracts a number of migrants from not only the N.W.F.P, but all over the country. This migrant population then assimilates into the workforce and over the years has become an integral economic force in the city.

The Pakhtuns too have become an indispensable part of Karachi. Not only do they control most of the public transportation system, but a majority of cobblers, tea hotel owners, construction labourers happen to be Pakhtuns.

No matter what political reasons are given for any conflict, the underlying reason is always economic. Talibanisation, thus, is only an excuse. The faultline for the current conflict are all Pakhtun majority areas specially the adjoining areas to the Pahar Ganj. The land has appreciated in value, but remains the stronghold of Pakhtuns, a thorn in the side of the land mafia that controls the rest of the city- or that is what the unbiased residents of North Nazimabad, Block A, C and Q claim who find themselves in the middle of the bloodshed. They claim that violence erupted in the area last night when the Pakhtun flag on the hill was replaced by a ‘Muhajir’ flag.

The residents of the area fear that over the next few days, the violence will escalate, unless the power struggle between the two ethnic parties is resolved.

I am horrified by the voting being done presently at the following website:

http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/voting_result.php?id=51

It belongs to Pakistan Christian Post and the polling asks this from its voters:

Christian population is 18% of Punjab but deprived of resources of province and state. Do you support demand of Separate Christian Province on division of Punjab?

To which 71% have said yes while 29% have said no. What kind of govt. is this which cannot even handle such affairs. And what is ISI doing? For me, this looks very dangerous.

Now imagine what would happen if Punjabi Christians living an Karachi – and there are lot of them around sweeping, cleaning, working as electrical contractors, in police, etc – rise up, resort to violence and ask for independence. It is very clear from the polling at website that it is yet another measure by our enemies to make Pakistan as weak as possible. We are already under pressure on many fronts including, but not limited to, Kashmir, FATA, Baluchistan insurgency, economic crisis, political instability, and a rising war chorus on Iranian border.

What do we do now? I think the best course would be to hear all the grievances of Christian community of Pakistan, which is primarily made of Punjabis, and alleviate their problems. We have seen rising problems of Church burning or damaging, targeting Christians and other minorities, and labelling them as second rate citizens. But we cannot open or afford to open another war front in the heart of Pakistan. There has to be a solution to all these problems.