Jun 16, 2007

Ebad deserves credit for diffusing tension


Karachi View by Yusuf Khan

Soft spoken casually dressed Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan rightly deserves credit for bringing city to normalcy in the wake of May 12 mayhem. Emotions were high and the victims were not prepared to even listen what the governments both federal and provincial were offering. Ebad played his innings well in the post May 12 situation, he went to almost every victim, consoled him and offered his sympathy and condolence. Indeed, some were mad with him but he refused to budge in his drive to bring peace to violent Karachi. Within a week his efforts proved worthy as Pakhtoon Action Committee despite pressure agreed to call of their three day strike. No doubt Ebad faced some ugly scenarios in his quest; some injured refused to listen and some booed him. He remained steadfast.
While Nawaz Sharif in his unexplained wisdom asked opposition in Sindh not to receive Sindh Governor as he embarked upon mourning campaign. Syed Qaim Ali Shah of the PPP responded by declaring,' it is not Sindh culture to return any one offering sorrow and condolence.' This was unfair of Nawaz Sharif who is yet to understand Sindh culture, where it is not usually approved to send back even opponent and refuse to accept condolences. Ebad went to Isfandayar Wali Khan, Qaim Ali Shah, Professor Ghafoor Ahmed and others. He proved a great listener as these leaders narrated their woes. They were satisfied some body from the government listening to them who knocked at their doors at the worst of times.
It is hard to remember some other governors doing it in the past. Ebad despite mountains of charges and accusations against him finally managed to win some angry and indeed wounded hearts. He has come a long way in his quest and it bore fruits within few days. Ibad talked to Shahi Syed, Pakhtoon leader and finally he won peace for Karachi after Shahi's action committee agreed to postpone its protest strike. It is not difficult to imagine what would have happened if PAC joined by the political and religious opposition refused to call off its protest. Fortunately, good sense prevailed and a bad scenario was averted.
There is no denying the fact genial Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan is largely a victim of circumstances not created by him. When he started his innings every body though it his religious duty to oppose his nomination. Some Lahore columnists even challenged President Musharraf and offered to provide list of Ebad's sins. They failed to convince Musharraf to change his mind. His induction was welcomed by black banners and posters for his opponents he was simply a 'criminal' even the enlightened PPP which dubs all cases against Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari as fake refused to offer any olive branch to Ebad. This was awful time for him as all wanted his head even there was no head money earmarked for him as was the case with some other the MQM leaders.
Ishratul Ebad started his innings by going to editors of major and minor newspapers; he went to every body talked to him and proved a good listener. Even those who were not prepared to even see his face shocked when he knocked at their doors and asked them to work for Sindh's peace and prosperity. They responded indeed even though some had their own traditional fears. Ebad was the first governor who was going to editors and media men not summoning them to Governor House. He was different kind of governor for them talking in soft tone wearing casual shirt and trouser. He proved he is not a big shot he is a man who belongs to Sindh and wants to see this province prosper. He started his efforts immediately after taking oath.
Frankly as a layman I was surprised to find him one 'chand raat' (Eid's eve) at busy and bustling Tariq Road. My school going daughter was with us. As we saw Governor with his wife walking leisurely on Tariq Road indeed accompanied by security staff. But it was great sight as there were all sorts of rumours were circulating in the city about suicide attack during Eid shopping spree. As a citizen I felt satisfied nothing is going to happen. We stayed at Tariq Road till 3 am as we were heading towards home Ebad was waving towards the gathered crowd. I never saw any governor reaching to his people in such atmosphere.
True he has his detractors who are prepared to spare even Satan not to him. This is hard to figure out even responsible parsons in the opposition merely make regular calls for his removal; they tend to forgive and forget Dr Arbab Rahim pugnacious Sindh chief minister. During a seminar held by PML-N speakers demanded removal of Sindh governor and provincial home minister. They said nothing about Arbab Rahim, who is the chief executive of Sindh. This is not easy to win hearts and souls in Sindh. Sometimes it is. The Pakhtoon Action Committee during one of its charged meetings demanded Dr Ebad's immediate removal. Angry Pakhtoons were not prepared to listen any thing otherwise. Next day they were suiting with Dr Ebad discussing how to compensate for the victims of May 12 tragedy. As Sindh Governor Ebad is playing his innings well, so far he rightly deserves credit. (The Nation, June 09, 2007)