Karachi 12th May

Having studied civil society and social movements at SOAS, I was hoping eagerly that something of the sort would happen in my country too...where one could see some solidarity coming from the people for a cause they believe in. Then the chief justice episode took place and as a result, a huge community of lawyers took to the streets. Being unable to bring a substantial change, the movement continued. And today has got to be the worst day in my newly-found career in journalism. As I had dreaded yesterday when our ex-prime minister Jamali advised the government to not let MQM rally out in Karachi the same day the chief justice was arriving there, a clash was bound to happen. But to this severity, where someone as political and ardent like myself, would have to start switching channels, its just becoming impossible to watch the blood anymore. Showing close-ups of bullets in the flesh, ambulances being burnt up – in fact I was just wondering – who would those people be, who would not be harmed in the streets? Maybe journalists..who could communicate the message carried in this violence? But no! I was wrong. If an ambulance driver could be shot and the ambulance carrying passengers, burnt up, then who is safe on those streets? No one!