As nation hungers for rights, one man promises to starve for them

Noted activist begins hunger strike; calls for anti-corruption legislation, cut in military budget.

ISLAMABAD:

In the wake of bad governance and mounting perceptions about the government being inept and corrupt, the people of Pakistan desperately looking for a change in the status quo, saw a little glimmer of hope in the shape of Raja Jahangir Akhtar. The noted businessman and political activist began a “fast unto death” to launch a movement against burgeoning corruption, disproportionate allocations for military and rising obscurantism and intolerance.

Hundreds of people, young and old, including civil society activists, representatives of progressive parties, students and traders assembled at the intersection on China Chowk underpass near Super Market in posh F-6 sector where a rally prior to the start of his sit-in culminated in the afternoon.

Wearing a white shalwar kameez and black band on his head, the sit-in seemed to magnetically attract a huge crowd outside his camp.

Just before Akhtar’s address to the crowd, a student, Fahd Hanif, told The Express Tribune, “I came here from Saddar in Rawalpindi to appreciate his great effort against corruption.”

Soon after, Akhtar addressed the crowd and got straight to the point, saying that the awful extent of corruption in the country drove him to launch his hunger strike.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg, and I hope my hunger strike will bring a revolution in the country against corruption. I will continue my strike till my demands are fulfilled,” he said.

Akhtar listed his demands, beginning with a call on the government to table an anti-corruption bill akin to the one that the Indian government tabled in the parliament after social activist Anna Hazare held a hunger strike against corruption in his country.

He also demanded that all political parties reform their manifestos by including goals to make Pakistan a, “Progressive, peaceful, liberal and democratic country. If these demands are fulfilled I will cancel my hunger strike. Otherwise, I have no option but to sit here for as long as it takes,” Raja added.

“The time has come to do something practical for the country, since after more than 60 years, our leadership has not produced even one individual who stood up and did anything for the betterment of the country. This is what led to Pakistan becoming a corrupt state,” he argued.

He said that if parliament approves an anti-corruption bill, it would be a historical achievement for every Pakistani.

Akhtar is no stranger to the ills of Pakistani society. The 68 years old former army gunner, has spent the better part of his life campaigning for progressive causes and reduction in the defence budget. For his trouble, he was sent to jail for a year along with 10 lashes during the military dictatorship of General Ziaul Haq.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan also visited the camp to express solidarity with Akhtar and supported his campaign against corruption and tabling a bill in parliament. Khan, who himself has been very vocal against corruption, assured Akhtar of the full support of his party and demanded the government to table the anti-corruption bill in parliament. Senator Hasil Bizenjo and Khan both signed the bill.

Human Rights Activist Farzana Bari, Labour Party Pakistan (LPP) representative Nisar Shah and Aasim Sajjad Akhtar from the Workers Party Pakistan were among those who came to express solidarity.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2011.