One man, promising to fast unto death in protest against corruption, caused millions of middle class Indians onto the streets to fight corruption. Just one man.

To try and eradicate corruption from a country where nearly every man has made a dishonest living is impossible. To try and eradicate violence, however, is not. The recent violence in Karachi, with a hundred people dead in six days, desperately calls for someone to take a stand. We hear repeatedly about the Pakhtuns being against Mohajirs, or the MQM against the PPP, but why, for once, can differences not be put aside for the sake of human lives? Can one man or, for that matter, one woman put themselves to a fast to get the masses out onto the streets as happened in India?

The MQM is the only party protesting the killings in Sindh. Meanwhile, PPP leader and Sindh minister Zulfiqar Mirza engages in yet another useless feud, asking for Rehman Malik to be banned from the province. While this useless battle goes on, killings are continuing just across the bridge from Karachi’s English-speaking bubble. The powerful turn a blind eye, time and again. But it is only a matter of time before the deaths penetrate deep into even their bubbles. Pakistan needs a wave of people to rise up and end provincial and ethnic divides – only then will these killings halt. The power lies with the people. They remain, however, mostly unaware of their potential strength.

Who will be our Anna Hazare? Can Imran Khan or Abdus Sattar Edhi lead the masses?

Call me an idealist if you must, but the Indians, as they trudge ahead, will tell you that empowering the masses works.