Media persons and civil society activists have vowed to resist any misadventure to subvert the constitution or derail democracy.
They also called for a peaceful solution to the current standoff between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek, said a press release issued here on Friday.
A joint resolution passed at a “jamhoor camp” (democracy camp) held at the National Press Club said, “Pakistan is passing through a critical juncture of its history and all political issues must be resolved through dialogue.”
At the protest camp, noted artist Jamal Shah also ended his three-day hunger strike.
“I had to accept the unanimous decision by camp participants to end my hunger strike and it has been decided that others will take turns from today in the form of token hunger strikes and expand the scope of our protest,” the artist said on his Facebook page.
“I will also be filing a petition in the Supreme Court against the unlawful siege of Islamabad through dharnas (sit-ins),” he said.
“We feel that since the first week of August, the whole city has become barricaded, roads are blocked with containers and life in Islamabad has been held hostage.”
“Citizens are fearful of violence due to the rampant threats in hateful speeches by PTI chief Imran Khan and PAT chief Tahirul Qadri through live transmissions on channels. Educational institutes are shut, children’s education is being compromised, business activity is crippled and causing huge losses to the economy,” the resolution said.
It said that taxpayers’ money was being burnt on providing security for the sit-ins. The City’s beauty and cleanliness was being compromised by litter and human waste. Streets, parks and the green belts of Islamabad are becoming unsafe. People in general and women in particular are becoming vulnerable to harassment and crime, it added.
“Our jamhoor camp is spreading awareness about these issues through peaceful and creative dialogue with the citizens of Islamabad, but to our disappointment, the constant refusal of dialogue and continued threatening discourse at both sit-ins is reflective of fascistic trends in politics. It seems more like a planned onslaught on democracy and the Constitution of Pakistan. Therefore, we urge people of Pakistan to stand up and organise peaceful Jamhoor camps in each and every city, town and village of Pakistan to combat this dangerous threat,” the press release states.
Speaking at the camp, Pakistan People’s Party MNA Nafeesa Shah said Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto did not compromise but sacrificed their lives to uphold the supremacy of constitution and democracy. She said that except the PTI, all political parties in parliament were united to strengthen democracy and defend the constitution. “The parliamentary session will not be halted even if the protesters enter the house,” she said while appreciating the government for allowing protesters to enter the Red Zone.
PPP Senator Rubina Khalid said that singers and artists were performing on the PTI stage to attract people and if government also organised a musical show, people will also turn up just to have fun.
PFUJ President Afzal Butt said some elements were criticising the jamhoor camp and accusing the PFUJ of becoming party to a political dispute.
“Since both protesting parties have reached the Red Zone, if any untoward incident happens, constitution and democracy will be the ultimate victim.”
The democracy camp’s message to all the forces was that journalists and the PFUJ were vigilant to protect the constitution and democracy.
“The protesters’ leaders have dinners in five star hotels while their workers sit helpless on the roads. It would have been better if Imran Khan served the IDPs and used resources for their welfare.”
Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists President Syed Ali Raza Alvi condemned attacks on media persons and urged the media to perform their duties impartially.
RIUJ general secretary Bilal Dar said journalists were united to protect the constitution and democracy. National Press Club President Shehryar Khan said they will not allow anyone to derail democracy.
Jamal Shah revealed that Imran Khan had invited him to join the PTI but he refused.
“After I rejected the invitation, his workers began abusing me on social media.”
Social activist Naeem Mirza said, “We reject those who don’t recognise the courts, Election Commission, parliament and the constitution.”
Iqbal Khattak from Reporters Without Borders expressed his concern that news channels were openly targeting each other. “Such blame game can endanger the lives of journalists and media workers.”
Journalist Adnan Rehmat said that there was hype of hate against each other in Pakistan. “We can only grow if we develop a culture of coexistence.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2014.
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Shame on you Jamal Shah for protecting the murderer of 15 innocent people. Is the access to NA more important then lives of citizens of this country ??? If you ignore these 15 deaths then power hungry cannibals will soon get the freedom. Next, they can turn your guns to one of your loved ones. Unable to get justice or even getting a case registered , would you still worry so much about access to this politics power house where the only politics is for acquiring money and more money. Search for true answer within Jamal Shah and you would soon be sitting in for hunger strike at Islamabad with the innocent !!!