Understanding Karachi: Patterns of Conflict and Their Implications

The paper critically examines the patterns of conflict in Karachi and their socio-economic, political and security implications by arguing that many of the conflicts flourish under the political umbrellas, and the city has become the victim to the power temptations and control on part of political actors. In order to understand the patterns of conflict in today’s Karachi, there are four different, but inter-related and in some cases overlapping, aspects – ethno-political; sectarian; terrorism; and crime-related conflicts – which not only have made the situation more complex, but also led to a perpetual wave of violence in the city. The paper further argues that many of Karachi’s conflicts have emanated from two inter-connected processes: unchecked influx of migrants in various phases, and as a result the formation of informal squatter settlements. In order to resolve Karachi’s conflicts, the paper, therefore, suggests both short-term and long-term strategies, which focus on the issues of governance which would help separate the nexus between politics, criminality and militancy; and the need for changing Pakistan’s security narrative vis-a-vis its eastern and western neighbors respectively.