Though not four or even a million, Qadri did succeed in getting a presentable crowd of around a 100,000. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL
Dr Allama Tahirul Qadri may have taken inspiration from the strong four-day sit-in in Quetta, resulting in the imposition of governor’s rule in Balochistan, but then Islamabad is not Quetta.
Neither is D-Chowk the Alamdar Road — where he and his “thousands of highly motivated” supporters would be allowed to turn it into Tahrir Square.
Therefore, his dream of transforming the D-Dhowk into Tahrir Square failed to get any positive response from the government despite some last-minute contact with PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
His sudden return in the political arena, after a lapse of almost eight years since his resignation from the National Assembly seat in 2004, poses grave questions.
Though not the promised four million or even a million, Qadri did succeed in getting a presentable crowd of around a 100,000.
What remains to be seen now is for how long would the Qadri supporters be allowed to lay siege to the capital — he claims they will not turn away from Islamabad unless his seven-point charter of demands is accepted.
However, there is no real sign of acceptance of his demands including the dissolution of the Election Commission of Pakistan, formation of a caretaker government of national consensus with the approval of the army and judiciary, accountability and qualification of only those candidates who fulfil the requirement of Article 62 and 63.
And for the last three days, the federal capital is practically under siege — an undeclared curfew-like situation is being witnessed in the “red zone” with people and diplomats alike wondering what’s next?
With tons of fruits, bottled water, gas cylinders, dry fruits and juices in bullet-proof containers with all facilities of an expansive room, Qadri has succeeded in displaying a proper show — but the government so far remains unmoved.
“If Chairman Mao’s long march can take weeks and months, this march will also not end unless our charter of demands is accepted and implemented,” he declared before leaving Lahore.
What he perhaps forgot is the spirit and commitment with which Mao led his march and went shoulder-to-shoulder with his people.
Civilian or non-civilian authorities cannot arrange long sit-ins at the capital. And Dr Qadri knows that.
Unless there are “forces” behind him, there is every likelihood that it would end without achieving the goal.
Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, who supports Qadri’s cause, hinted towards a “deadlock.”
“I can’t give you details of what Qadri Sahab told me but I don’t see any agreement or breakthrough,” he told me.
Except the MQM, which provided moral support but did not participate in the “Democracy March”, only Sheikh Rasheed’s party lent political support to him.
Though Qadri’s inner core hinted at a long stay in Islamabad, if the government fails to accept his demands, he will require more political support from the MQM and possibly Imran Khan’s PTI.
PML-N, the Chaudhry brothers, JUI-F, and the judiciary are in no mood to put their weight behind Qadri for a variety of reasons.
So the “million-man” march perhaps appears to be heading towards a no-win situation for Qadri — unless something dramatic happens.
If certain “forces” want to use him to pressurise mainstream political leaders, who could win the next elections, they need to do lot more.
They need to ensure that the Constitutional Avenue transforms into a real Tahrir Square — and that’s a hurricane of a task.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th, 2013.
COMMENTS (6)
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@Aleez.
The aim is to derail democracy as that is the biggest threat to the biggest mafia in Pakistan
So you actually support the democracy currently prevalent? You even choose to call it democracy. of all the democracy categories in the world .. Pakistani democracy doesnt make the list. Its electoral dictatorship.
To all those who say its a military ploy. Revisit history .. whenever the military came it was because the people wanted it to come. Be it Zia or Mush... Currently the people are not in the mood nor is the army wanting to take over. Take a step back from conspiracy theories and see how idealism and faith brings about change. Never before has pakistan seen such a well thought and organized movement as being led by TuQ.
Topi Drama... Topi Drama... Topi Drama........ I smell foul play...
Like an Indian brother commented on another thread : Dictatorship 1 - 0 Democracy, let me rephrase it slightly : Establishment 1 - 0 Democracy.
The whole TuQ drama has been orchestrated to delay elections and install a 'pliant' interim government and thus, delay elections. The military is finding that no one will play ball with them, neither AAZ, NS and not even IK who they were throwing their weight behind not so long ago. The aim is to derail democracy as that is the biggest threat to the biggest mafia in Pakistan : The Pakistan Military Industrial Complex - they don't want to see true democracy flourish in Pakistan because then their 'empire' (worth a cool $100bn+) will become weaker and civilians will become more powerful, a scenario that the Generals are s* scared of.
The victim is the democratic dispensation and democracy - let democracy continue, however bad it is, eventually it will clean itself up through a process of evolution.
Its just starting wait & see.
@huzaifa: there has never been democracy in Pakistan. It is being ruled by kings and each one of them has a turn. When not in power, they repose in foreign countries.
To put together such a operation, not months but years must have gone into planning and not millions but billions have been spent. The Punjab government despite showing some anti march attitude did cooperated with Qadri. On other hand , the most amazing behaviour was shown by Zardari led government, except Rehman Malik's ranting( which no body take seriously) no PPP stalwart and Islamabad management opposed the march but facilitated it. WELL! this raises quiet a questions, then appearance of MALIK RIAZ was quiet strange. Who compelled him to take a plunge and why he did it? This march was not difficult to handle as some thousands could be handled right from the start if Qadri would have been arrested in Lahore. The democratic forces really need a overhaul, IT SHOWS.