At the cliff

Law and order situation is at the cliff. Protests by PTI supporters against the arrest of Imran Khan seem to have gone overboard. Unprecedented scenes of violence and vandalism were witnessed, which included torching of the Governor and Core Commander’s residences in Lahore, and Radio Pakistan office in Peshawar. Hundreds have been arrested countrywide by police, as pitched battles between police and activists continue unabated. The intensity is yet to come as a NAB court granted eight days’ remand of the PTI chief that corresponded with the government’s calling in of Army for civil aid under Article 245. The scenario is wayward with several reported dead, leading to fears of more turbulence as there is no recourse at work to pacify the situation.

The country is on tenterhooks and it is in dire need of a political solution. The pattern at work suggests that the government wants to browbeat the opposition by submerging it in litigation. Khan’s indictment in the Toshakhana case seems to be the tip of the iceberg. But the million-dollar question is whether this provocative strategy enables the beleaguered dispensation to overcome anger on the streets, and stabilise the situation. What is unfortunately evolving is a clash among state institutions, and suppression of political voices is leading to more confusion and chaos. Likewise, measures such as cracking down on media reporting and closure of Internet services is in no way addressing the problem, and rather compounding it to the core.

Reports of sporadic pouring out of people in K-P, Karachi and Punjab at frequent intervals are simply upping the ante. The taking into custody of PTI leaders is, in other means, snatching the channel of venting out anger in a peaceful manner, and is pushing the fragile order towards a disaster. The country cannot afford this any longer, and it is incumbent upon the stakeholders to take a holistic note of ground realities, and make room for a civil mobility under the canons of law and the Constitution. The moment people are destined to decide, and take a call: the situation will become win-win for all.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2023.

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