Unsuccessful Search for Peace

Karachi was the capital of Pakistan till 1959. Karachi is also known as city of lights and it’s the commercial and industrial capital of the country. People belonging from every ethnicity live in Karachi that’s why it is also known as Mini-Pakistan. It contains the biggest seaport of the country and serves as the gateway of Pakistan. More that 60 percent of federal government revenue comes from Karachi, due to its huge population and the headquarters of most of companies being located here.

In 1980’s the notorious dictator of Pakistan, General Zia gifted Kalashnikov culture to Karachi just like it gifted to rest of Pakistan. During 1970’s the ethnic discrimination of Urdu speaking people began in Karachi. This led to the creation of All Pakistan Muhajir Students organization (APMSO) in 1978, led by Altaf Hussain. In 1984 General Zia patronized APMSO and helped the creation of Muhajir Quami Movement (MQM) under the leadership of Altaf Hussain. The motive behind creating MQM was to divide the support of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Sindh. Politically MQM took over Karachi and it was a big blow for PPP. It deprived PPP of its support from urban Sindh. Later on military establishment created tensions between MQM and Pakhtoons in Karachi. This led to bloodshed and massacres in 1980s.