A day of casualty
The caretaker government of Punjab messed it up on Wednesday. Its decision to slap Section 144 to push back PTI workers — who were out to kick-start their election campaign, which resulted in the killing of a party supporter allegedly in police custody — and the Aurat March all made it chaotic. There was utter confusion as police were on a witch-hunt, and the administration was shying behind the excuse that it was warranted in public interest. Telecast scenes of policemen damaging vehicles of the PTI rally made the equation too kinetic and electrifying. But as semblance prevailed, the PTI called off its campaign for the day, and tried playing to the gallery by questioning the sincerity of the interim government in holding the polls in Punjab, which have already been scheduled for April 30.
There is some serious thinking business needed by the political parties, and the caretakers in the province, to resolve whether the constitutional mandatory elections in the province will be held under what scenario. The retreat of the Punjab government by taking back Section 144, which was earlier imposed for seven days, and the relief that the PTI chairman got from the court of law, wherein he was excused from personally appearing in a case, have scaled down the tension. This is a much-desired relief, and the need of the hour is to ensure that law and order is maintained, and due political space is provided to all political parties in the run for electioneering. This is, in fact, the primary duty of the interim setup under Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and he and his cabinet are liable to the dictates of the constitution.
The question now is what’s ahead? The PTI’s recourse to talk it out with the Election Commission, and knock at the superior judiciary’s door, to realise its fundamental right of going to the polls is most welcome. It has to also ensure that its support does not turn into a clash of interests, and this is where the acumen of leadership counts. Let there be no repeat of May 25 and March 8 fissures on the streets of Punjab.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2023.
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