Violence begets violence

(Rizwan Haider)

Political uncertainty is on the rise, speculations are the center of talks regarding the ongoing political turmoil and its outcome. What would be the climax of Azadi March of Pakistan Tehree-e-Insaf and Revolution March of Pakistan Awami Tehreek. Either the government would show some flexibility over the harsh demands of protesters or it would end up tightening the screws of oppositions. Would the government crumble or survive? In the sacred month of August, Pakistan came into being, is passing through a chaos all around. Mishandling the reservations of other political parties by the incumbent government provided the reasons to the small waves of protests to become very high tides which could sweep away the elected government.

More than a year has passed, but demand of PTI for the recounting and verification of thumb impression of four constituencies was not met; now they are on the streets with bigger demands. Putting a glance in the political history of the country, we would end up that Nawaz Sharif was one of the trend settlers of long marches, on the death anniversary of dictator Zia-ul-Haq on 17th August, 1989; he headed towards the capital with at least 1000 buses of participants to reach at the grave of Zia-ul-Haq, with hidden agenda of political point scoring. Premier of the time, late Benazir Bhutto after negotiations passed the order to let the Nawaz Sharif and his followers enter into the capital and no hurdles were placed on the way of the long march. In 2009, Nawaz Sharif cleverly took over the leadership of the lawyers’ movement, and started the long march from Lahore, threatening PPP government in the center. His long march hardly crossed the Lahore, when he was delivered the message that his demands were met and he called off the march. Considering the historic facts, incumbent government should also show some flexibility and should confer the green signal to the participants of Azadi March and Revolution March to enter into the capital. Situation could be worst if the option of using force applied, incident of killing a dozen workers of PAT in Lahore added fuel to the fires being lighted by the opposition parties. The Model Town carnage provided the real strength to PAT Chief. It was a national tragedy which could have been avoided. The real culprits behind the carnage have not been brought to justice till now thus leaving more excuses for the PAT to continue their protests. Extreme statements have been issued by the Chief of PAT and PTI. Dr Qadri revealed that the 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 if he would be eliminated by any means by the government then his activists must not spare the Shareef brothers.

Considering the facts any further aggression by the authorities would be a disaster for the government, democracy and ultimately for the stability of the country. Cities are being brought to a standstill because of the threat of demonstrations, containers placed on entry and exit points, fuel shortages created to ensure people could not travel. On the one hand, pictures are being floated that women and old people were fled like mice and scuttled out from under containers, on the other, scuffles between the protesters and law enforcement agencies. A democratic government must not take away the right of freedom of speech and expression, right of peaceful demonstration. Democratic government should not feel that they can act as they please and that there is no one to curtail them? How do they believe that they have the right to use state power to curtail the freedom of association and the peaceful right to protest? Present government should follow the footsteps of PPP government, the way they handled the sit-in of PAT in the winter of 2013, they were allowed to protest in the capital and a stage came Qadri was anxiously looking for the safe passage to end the sit-in.

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Cutting down arms supply vital for law & order

Pakistan has seen a sharp increase of light and heavy illegal arms pouring in and still there seems no effective check and balance in the offing to put an end to arms smuggling into the country. The missing of NATO containers from Karachi port still remained a mystery as concerned quarters failed to even find the cluses despite having all the information they needed. Most of the missing containers were loaded with highly sophisticated weapons which unfortunately fell in to the hands of terrorists outfits and other criminals who took full advantage of the situation and some how manage to disturb the law and order situation especially in Karachi and rest of the country to a extent that nobody feel safe now. Under the prevalent political situation, it has become necessary to cut down the supply of weapons to the terrorists by taking masses into confidence to trace the elements involved in weapons’ smuggling/ supply.
It has been reported numerous times that most of the arms dealers are selling weapons under the table. They are not just making mockery of the law of the land but also putting the lives of hundred of thousands people into jeopardy. Zardari-led government introduced amendments to its arms import policy and changed it from a value-based to a quantity-based one in 2014. But the Nawaz Sharif’s government too failed to ensure its implementation.. This paved the way to these arm dealers to spread their network across the country and filling up every major city of the country with sophisticated weapons. The use of anti-aircraft guns and 9 mm pistol in many act of violence is the ample proof of the illegal activities.
The practice needs to be curbed as country can not afford sale of arms any further , while the reasons behind the Pakistan’s ever-increasing graph of violence is disparate and many, there’s one thing that underpins it all; one thing that, so to speak, facilitates violence — easy access to all sorts of weapons. If all the tensions that are currently ripping the country apart remained, even then it would be possible to argue that were this not such a heavily weaponised environment, the levels of threat-escalation would be lower. Nowhere is this more evident than in Karachi, which is seeing steadily increasing levels of petty crime such as the snatching of phones and wallets. These are generally crimes of opportunity that occur because a weapon is at hand, cheaply and easily. Then there are security challenges of a different nature which must be countered in different ways, as each equation demands. But in each case, reducing the number of arms coming into the country and deweaponisation are the first critical steps as it would definitely help in reducing violent crimes and might save our young generation from falling prey to any violent crime. The common man is the ultimate suffer as in most of the innocent citizens lost their lives after being targeting with highly sophisticated weapons. It is a matter of concern too for those sitting on the helm of affairs that how the anti state element manage to smuggle Russian, Israeli and other foreign countries weapons into the country and still the deweaponisation policy is resting at the tables of bureaucrats for long.
The government and all the stakeholders have to sit on same table to devise a comprehensive strategy to purge the country of illegal arms if they are sincere in resolving the problems of the masses.. The easy access to weapons ranging from handgun to anti-aircraft guns pose a serious threat to civilian as well government too as not a month goes by when the terrorists either blow up gas pipeline or fire mortar shell at the heavily guarded government installations. All what country need to purge the country of illegal arms and form a policy and ensure it’s implementation in letter and spirit.
The country is witnessing a sharp increase in violent crimes due to easy availability of weapons at every major city. Now it is no secret to anybody that Pakistan’s streets has badly been infested with the illegal weapons. For example, a campaign to rid Karachi of illegal weapons can still be launched to cut down the terrorists’ supply line by nabbing dealers involved. It is the challenge for concerned quarters to immediately devise a plan to purge the country from such arm dealers who are involved in selling arms to the terrorists. All it needs commitment to provide safe enshrinement to the citizens who lost their lives at the hands of terrorists who are still using foreign-made weapons.

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Government must act wisely, demonstrate patience

Lahore represented the war-like situation on Saturday. The clashed which erupted between PAT workers and policemen left scores of cops injured while entire nation watch SSP jumping in his jeep to manage escape from the wrath of angry people carrying baton in their hands Though Pat CHJIEF Tahirul Qadri is also to blame for the clashes but the provincial can not escape the blame as the concerned authorities failed to come out with a concrete plan to deal with the pre as well post- Youm-e- Shuhda, situation being observed by the Pakistan Awami Tehirk (PAT) .on Sunday and Azadi March being organized by the Pakistan Tehrik Insaf on Aug 14.
Saturday’s clashes between Pakistan Awami Tehrik activists and police have proved that neither government nor the opposition parties are ready to demonstrate flexibility. The clashes between police and PAT’s workers have sent a wave of fear among the masses again. Now they fear for the worst in days to come. Those sitting on the helm of affairs should have lodged FIR against the PAT chief on the very day when the later delivered ‘provocative’ speeches. There was no need to cordoned off the PAT Chief’s residence and sealing off the roads leading to Tehrik Minhajul Quran. Angry over the arrests of PAT workers, now Dr Tahirul Qadri seems firmed in toppling the government even at the cost of his life etc.
Now there are reports that provincial government is going to arrest PAT chief thus leaving no choice for the opposition but to opt for clash. The government’s wizards perhaps did not take the determination of the protestors’ commitment into account as the arrest would not make any difference at this time as they want nothing more or less but to topple the PML-N government and ready to pay any price for getting the job done.
Punjab government is also to blame for making the situation worst. By placing containers, calling rangers, imposing section 144; the government has added fuel to the fire as the PAT chief as well PTI Chief Imran from the day one are keep assuring government that they would hold peaceful protests and none of their workers will resort to any violence.
Despite efforts on the part of various political parties to find ways acceptable to both government and the protesting parties, the chances of any positive development on the political front seem next to impossible.
PM Nawaz Sharif no doubt did not pay any heeds to the PTI’s demands of recounting of votes in four constituencies. Now the government tried to calm down Imran Khan by inviting him in the national security meeting but to no avail. PM Nawaz through JI leaders sent a message to Imran Khan that government is ready to allow PTI to hold Azadi March in the federal capital if he refrain self from demanding resignation from the Prime Minister. Now it is too late for the offer as the reports are also pouring in that government is going to put Imran Khan under house arrest too. Now Imran Khan categorically refused attend national security meeting and hold any talks with the government over the issue.
Imran Khan clearly told the government that his party would hold Azadi March at every cost arguing that he had been saying from day one that he would take to the streets if justice was not served. PTI chief has also announced that he would disclose the names of those who were involved in the rigging in 2013 general polls on Aug 11.
The situation is no doubt getting out of hands and now a showdown between government and protesting parties seems eminent On one side government trying to convince Imran Khan that time is not ripe for any confrontation while on the other side the law enforcement agencies personnel are combing each and every area to arrest the PTI, PAT’s leaders in order to make Azadi March nothing but a failure.
Dr Tahirul Qadri and other leaders of his party are calling the workers to actively take part in Youm-e Shuhda even they have to take down the containers etc.
Imran Khan and Dr. Tahirul Qadri demanded of the government to take action against corruption, injustice, poverty, vote rigging and other issues, but the government failed to fulfill their demands as no significant move has been witnessed in these regard.
There is no place in imposing section 144, using policemen and calling in Rangers to quell the opposition rallies, sit-in in a democratic society. Had the Govt’s managers acted wisely in removing the genuine grievances of PTI then the situation would be much different today.

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Let the democracy nourish but not at the cost of people’s life

The clashes between PAT and police continued for the second consecutive day while nobody is paying any heeds to the suffering of the masses. The PAT chief claimed that eight of his party workers have been shot dead by the police while thousand were injured. PAT chief now in his latest move has directed his supporters not to come to Lahore as they were lose their lives and told him to observe Youm-e Shuhada in their native places. But in the same time he is telling workers to reach Lahore if they can make their way through the containers and in the presence of heavily armed police contingents.
Though there were differences between the government and the PTI chief Imran Khan as later was demanding of recounting of votes in four constituencies arguing that rigging has been committed. But the unexpected return of Dr Tahirul Qadri in Pakistan to topple the democratic government, made the things from bad to worst on the political front.
The government was striving hard to meet the challenges it inherited from the PPP-led government, but the call given by Dr Qadri had put every efforts to bring relief the masses came to halt as the government diverted its attention from steering country out of the prevalent crisis to deal with Dr Tahirul Qadri’s undemocratic call. What kind of revolution PAT chief wants to bring? What force him to feel the pain of the masses? During PPP’s tenure, the terrorism, energy, gas crisis, inflation, injustices and unemployment were on its peak. Why Dr Qadri opted to go back to Canada after forcing PPP0led government to accept the demands he made. These are some serious questions being asked by the masses that had enough from “seasonal” politicians. Dr Qadri told his supporters at the end of sit-in in Islamabad that he has achieved his “goals” and returned back to Canada.
What were the goals he achieved? Why did he fail to feel the pain of the masses at that time? Now certainly the role he is playing is totally uncalled for. If he wants to bring the change then he should wait and take part in the elections to serve the masses. In a democratic and civilized society, ballots are only way to bring about positive change/ Inciting violence by delivering inflammatory speeches could be very harmful for the country especially at a time when our armed forces are busy in eliminating terrorists from country’s soil once for all. So far the role on the part PAT chief seems dubious. He is talking about the death of his party workers at the hands of the police but what about the death of a child whose family could not make their way to hospital as all the roads were blocked by the baton- wielding activists of PAT. The child died in the ambulance. Why Dr Qadri did not even spoke on his behalf? .He apparently wanted to enforce his agenda by using supporters and some anti-democratic elements and there seems a little difference in his politics and the way Maulana Sufi Muhammad tried to enforced his agenda in Swat which resulted in the death of hundreds of innocent citizens .The PML-N government hasn’t learnt lesson from its past mistake. Had the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif acted on time, the situation would be much better today? But due to wrong policies coupled with inflammatory remarks by the ruling party’s ministers, Qadri succeeded in getting support of some ‘seasonal politicians” and now bent upon derailing the democratic system.
When it comes to Imran Khan, no doubt he is playing by the roles. He never tried to exploit his supporters even after failing to get justice. Until now Imran Khan is trying to bring about a peaceful change. He did not close the door of negotiations with the government like Dr Qadri did. Imran knocked each and every door to get his voice heard but unfortunately the concerned quarters did not pay any heeds to his genuine demands as
no serious efforts were made on the part of the government to address his party’s grievances.. Nobody but it is the government to blame for compelling PTI to take its plight on the streets. Now government should let PTI hold Azadi March in the federal capital as Imran Khan is giving assurance to the government that his party would hold peaceful march and there would be no incident of violence. The government should  allow PTI to hold march as it is their democratic rights.

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August 14 test for all: Violence begets violence

Youme-e-Shuhada as claimed by the PAT Chief was aimed at demonstrating solidarity with the armed forces personnel who laid down their lives in fighting terrorism before and after the launching of Operation Zarb Azab. But unfortunately, due to inflammatory speeches delivered by the PAT’ allied parties turned the event into totally political gathering. The main purpose of the speeches apparently was to convince PTI chief Imran Khan to join Dr Qadri or hold Azadi March along with PAT and its allied parties ‘ leaers and supporters.
Amidst calls made by almost all the political as well religious party’ leaders that PAT workers must not resort to the path of violence, and avoid the path of anarchy, Dr Qadri not ready to let go the path he has chosen to topple the government.
The most inflammatory speech was delivered by the PAT chief. Giving the example of Karbala in which Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) told the followers that if they want to leave they can. By resembling his movement to the great martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), Dr Qadri has tried to play not only with the sentiments of Pakistanis but for the entire Muslime Ummah as Dr Qadri is trying to bring Revolution on the ground that present government has failed on every front to provide relief to the masses.
Dr Qadri keep telling people that government is trying to kill him and he is ready for the ‘martyrdom’ while his party leaders are keep spreading fear and confusion among the masses by revealing that government has devised a plan to arrest DR Qadri through commandos’ action.
Ironically from the beginning of the speeches from Sh Rashid, Ch Pervaiz to PAT Chief, non of the leaders even mentioned the sacrifices and struggles of armed forces in fighting terrorism what to say about Internally Displaced People (IDPs).
The allied parties and PAT chef tried to provoke their supporters to that extent that now a blood showdown seems eminent.
The Punjab government provided every chance to the PAT and its allied parties to take law into their hands due to their ill-planned strategy to deal with the situation. First they diverted the PAT chief plane from Lahore from Islamabad. The government could have hold dialogues with the PAT chief as did the PPP-led government in its tenure. But government failed to resolve the issue politically which now turned into a full-fledged anti government movement.
The government’ managers delivered inflammatory speeches. Worst come worst, the provincial as well federal government’s wizards opted for using the force by erecting wires, placing containers thus not only blocking the protestors but also created problems with the masses who have nothing to do with the politics. Enraged by the government move, the protestors resorted to violence which claimed the lives of nearly eight PAT workers and three policemen. A 70-year-old man and a two-year-old child lost their lives as police did not allow the ambulances to go through due to ‘security reasons’. The people who lost their lives were Pakistanis at the end and loss of their lives is a loss for Pakistan. Nobody took the pain of the masses. In fact both sides are using masses to achieve their “goals’. Dr Qadri kept calling his supporters not to go home and be ready to sacrifice their lives for the ‘Inqilab’. Why the other parties leaders called army to intervene?. Dr Qadri now appeared to be using Islam to topple the PML-N government. He told his party workers that if he got killed then don’t let any members of the Sharif family, ministers live. Thus Dr Dadri has declared war against the government by announcing that Inqilabi March will be started from August 14.
On the other side, the rally hold by the Jamaat-e-Islami Sunday remained peaceful as the administration did not placed containers in their way. The Ameeer of Jamaat Islami Sirajul Haq in his speech stressed the need to forge unity among the Ummah. He condemned the Israeli’s naked aggression against the unarmed, hapless Palestinians who are being killed with each and every passing day. Though Sirajul Haq in his speech did not specifically mentioned the prevalent political situation but tried to convince both government an the opposition to find peaceful way to end the confrontation.
MQM chief said that Pakistan army is offering life sacrifices in operation Zarb-e-Azb for the sake of country’s existence. He added that the political riots amid the war against terrorism will cause serious harm to the country.
Now it is up to the government. The containers must not be placed and let the PTI hold Azadi March. It is also the duty of Imran Khan not to play into the hands of anti-democratic forces and don’t allow PAT and its allied parties to join his peaceful March.

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Political chaos and sufferings of common man

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.

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Extremism brutal than terrorism

Extremism is a greater menace in terms of a state’s ability to deal with it, rather than terrorism, extremism can be termed as root of a tree while terrorism its branches, you keep cutting the branches but you will not get desired goals until you put out the roots.

Therefore, extremism is a greater threat to the country than terrorism.

Extremist incidents killed thousands in last few years, which should be a wake-up call for policy makers who need to check the rising intolerance and extremist attitudes in the society. To eliminate extremism we need a certain measure as it can not be eliminated by using the force of gun only.

According to the constitution of the land and speeches of the founder of Pakistan, everyone has an equal right to live in this country whether they are from the Ahmadiya, Christian or Hindu communities but some religious extremists oppose it. Preaching of religious clerics must be checked to tackle the menace of extremism. Incidence of extremism reflects that the social structure of Pakistan is disturbed. Mumtaz Qadri killed former Governor Punjab Salman Taseer after being emotionalized in a Friday sermon by a religious cleric. Public places, educational institutions and even mosques are no longer safe.  

To get rid of from the extremism we must consider the roles of school text books in rise of extremism in Pakistan? What is the role of media? What is role of judiciary? Is deteriorating economic condition and unemployment also contributing in it and last but not the least is there foreign involvement? Unless these questions are answered truthfully, the Pakistani nation will suffer. Nations that consistently blame others for their problems usually end up in a miserable failure. Pakistan’s most problems are internal and not external. Real change in a person or in a society comes from within and not by the presence or absence of any external influence. We have always been an emotional, rather than rational nation. The main political parties and also the major religious parties need to sit down together and condemn religious militancy with consensus. The government needs to show serious commitment towards shrinking of trends of extremism and should also adopt serious efforts to bring about moderation in society, as the founders of Pakistan were moderates. A more tolerant society will definitely bring about more cohesiveness and unity in Pakistani’s fragmented society.

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