The ongoing tussles between the government and other parties
especially Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf in general and Pakistan Awami Tehreek in
particular have pushed the ruling party against the wall. The Chief of PTI has
already told Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Sirajul Haq that time for dialogue is over. Though,
he had announced earlier that talks can be held after August 14 which means
that Imran Khan still showing flexibility on his part. In the latest move, PTI
has reiterated resolve to hold Azadi March at every cost warning the government
not to arrest Imran Khan otherwise the party would resist with full strength. The
PTI has also demanded of the PM to compensate the poor, container owners and all
those people whose lives have been affected due blocking roads and police’
refusal to let them enter into the federal capital in the name of security.
The announcement made by the PAT chief to launch Inqilab
(revolution) March with PTI' Azadi March' on August 14, has frustrated the
ruling party. Dr Qadri told the activists to recite Holy Quran and remain
peaceful during the protests while in the same time he is provoking them by
saying that if anybody tries to stop them then break his hands. Dr Qadri from
the beginning to fear that plans are either in the pipeline or have been
prepared to ‘martyr’ him by the government. PAT was supposed to observe
Youm-e-Shuhada to express solidarity with the armed forces and with the martyrs
of PAT of Lahore carnage but the day ended with declaration of war against the
government.
Now again the ultimate sufferer will be the common man
particularly those who have nothing to do with the politics. For the last many
days people were afraid of leaving their homes for going to work due to the presence
of heavily armed police contingents on every major road of the twin cities of
Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The protest demonstrations on the part of PAT have
badly damaged the working class. They are most of the times are being denied by
the police officials from entering federal capital on security reasons. Most of
time protest rallies have left little chance for earning bread and butter for
them. Government utilizing all strategies to not let protesters enter into the
place of protest and ordered to the owners of petrol pumps not to provide
petrol to the consumers so they would not reach to the capital ultimately. Authorities
must also realise that almost two lakh commuters of twin cities travel from
Rawalpindi to Islamabad and vice versa, to meet the both end needs. They faced
tremendous trouble by the blockade of roads and with non-availability of
petrol. Huge numbers of workers are daily wagers, they find it hard to earn for
themselves and for their families as they find it impossible to reach at their
work places. While dealing with the political confrontation, political parties
must also feel the sorrows of common people.
The Model Town carnage gave the real strength to PAT Chief.
No doubt it was a national tragedy which could have been avoided. Why the
provincial government decided to remove the barriers erected outside head
office of Tehrik Minhajul Quran at 2 A.M. Whosoever took the decision for use
of lethal force against the PAT’s women and stick-wielding activists committed
a ‘blunder’ as it resulted into the death of dozen of activists. The operation
could have been launched in the day after holding talks with the affected
party. The real culprits behind the carnage have not been brought to the book
till now thus leaving more excuses for the PAT to continue their protests.
Now prevalent political confrontation has reached to its
peak after Dr Qadri revealed that that government has issued orders of his
assassination calling already angry activists not to spare Sharif family and
ministers in case if he got killed. Similar statements were issued by Chief of
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf that is he would be eliminated by any means by the
government then his activists must not spare the Shareef brothers. If we put a
glance in the history of public rallies of PTI, we find them non-violent,
although the demands are ultimate this time, still Imran Khan pledged that
Azadi March would be non-violent. Considering this incumbent government should
show some flexibility for letting the protesters to do protests as Nawaz Sharif
also held anti-government public rallies in the capital during the last
government of Pakistan Peoples Party.
