1、Pakistans southern port city of Karachi is the countrys economic engine and home to some 20 million people. It is also the countrys most violent city, where gangs aligned with local political parties settle scores with shoot-outs. The violence is taking a toll on the countrys commercial hub.Politica
2、l killings, honor killings, kidnappings and gang warfare are not uncommon in this city.Violence taking a tollAccording to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, more than 1,450 people including children were killed in Karachi in the first six months of this year. Thats an average of about 6 people
3、 a day.Karachi produces more than 50 percent of Pakistans revenue. Businessmen like Naeem Ahmed, a member of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce, say the daily violence is impacting the countrys economy. “If Karachi is not working well, it does not just mean that Karachi is not working, it means Pakista
4、n is not working,” he explained.Police say they dont have the manpower to secure such a large city, where there is high unemployment and poverty-driven crime.Beyond law enforcementBusinessmen say political parties also are also using violence to gain economic power. Police chief Ahmed Farooqi says p
5、olitical violence is beyond law enforcements ability to control.“Police can stop them for a little while, stop this violence to happen, but for larger stability, and a larger improvement in the law and order situation, the political forces must come into play,” he said.There is also a lot of wealth
6、in Karachi. And people want protection. Despite strict licensing procedures, gun sales are up. And not only among men, says shop manager Mahmoud Salim.“Besides hunting and paper target shooting at the range, people also buy guns for personal protection, and that also includes women, even young women, he added. They come and they want to have a license, they want to have a weapon for their personal security.”Businessmen say the only solution will come from political parties joining forces, and tackling the problems, rather than being a part of them.
