If you’re angry with the state of affairs and want to march to Governor House in protest tomorrow, you can’t. Effective from Thursday (today), the provincial government has placed restrictions on holding protests, demonstrations and rallies in the ‘Red Zone’ ie Saddar.
Keeping the security threats in mind, the government has decided to create no-protest areas in order to prevent acts of terrorism in the future. The no-protest areas include Governor House, Chief Minister House, Sindh Assembly, foreign consulates, Sindh Secretariat, offices of Law Enforcement Agencies and intelligence agencies. Additional IG Karachi Akhtar Hussain Gorchani said that the ban was imposed as a protective measure. He added that no political or religious organisation would be allowed to enter the Red Zone.
According to Gorchani, rallies and processions held in that area are not only a threat to the public but also to the government, law enforcement and intelligence agencies. He added that it was a mutually agreed upon decision taken after the protest held outside Governor House on Sunday.
Although many protests have been held outside the Governor and Chief Minister House, Gorchani says that the protest on Sunday had kept everyone on their toes. He added that such protests were dangerous and the police could not check every participant. “Why should we give them [the terrorists] a chance to put the lives of others into danger?” he said. Fixed points will be set for protestors while political or religious leaders will be allowed to enter the Governor and Chief Minster House for negotiations.” The additional IG added that it was not necessary for everyone to go inside and negotiate.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2012.
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