KARACHI:
If all institutions in a country are working efficiently and effectively, to the best of their abilities, that country has a greater chance of achieving prosperity. For this, discipline plays a key role in accelerating the process. In Pakistan, however, institutional and political discipline cannot be maintained due to frequent strikes and protests that tend to perpetuate instability and chaos.
Currently, the fight for power has prompted both the ruling PDM coalition and the opposing PTI party to initiate protests and rallies in hopes of gaining public support and pushing their agenda forward. It is a shame that these politicians are not aware of the consequences that their protests and rallies have on the common man. A slight incident could trigger violence at a massive scale. We have often seen protesters burning tyres and cars, breaking into shops, and damaging public property. In the process, livelihoods are lost and businesses incur serious financial damages. But no action is taken following the event. Moreover, lengthy sit-ins and rallies often result in economic slowdown and are a nuisance to netizens who are busy trying to make a living.
Individuals have the right to protest but it seems that only those in power are allowed to do so freely while others are quashed. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that protests take place in peaceful manner so that the daily lives of citizens are not affected. They have failed at doing so.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 14th, 2022.
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