Qadri announcing the end to the march. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
And what has been achieved at the end of all this? The coalition government’s final discussions with Dr Qadri, intended it seems essentially to end the sit-in by offering him a ‘face-saving’, really produced little. It had already been said that assemblies would be dissolved after March 16, when their term ended. This was reiterated in the largely meaningless draft. The provision for polls after 90 days is also a constitutional requirement, rather than a condition forced by Dr Qadri. The only point of some contention is that Dr Qadri would choose the caretaker head. This violates what is legally laid down, with this right lying with the government and opposition. The agreement that ‘discussion’ will be held on electoral reforms and that ‘honest’ persons will be chosen, in real terms means little. We all know discussions and words usually lead nowhere.
So, in concrete terms, nothing has changed. There is greater political consensus on the need for democracy without disruption — and Dr Qadri may have brought greater focus on corruption. But that is all. We can only wonder why so many followed him. Yes, this does demonstrate a yearning for a new order; but it also indicates an inbuilt tendency to follow pirs and soothsayers with little thought. It is hard to understand quite what Dr Qadri himself had in mind. Certainly, he has gained publicity — but nothing resembling the ‘revolution’ he promised. In the final analysis, there has been no change — beyond damaged green belts in Islamabad from where desperate ‘marchers’ cut down wood. The antics we saw are a reminder that revolutions are not instant affairs and nor can constitutions simply be swept aside.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2013.
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Protest launched by Dr.Qadari against all sorts of things has not brought any immediate effect on the political process but it was a vital social protest against corruption and the political elite in Pakistan.
The protest also shows that common Pakistanis need change for their better living and future.
The current democracy in the world as a system has created lots of doubts for people who have no power to change the decision making power of elite or political elite.
The editorial has been written without a good reason to say that protest has no meaning.
You know all protests tell us that people are demanding change and direction.
Well rounded synopsis.... does a good job of unclovering the farce and point out the problems with allowing ourselves to get swayed so easily by con artists.
The editorial summarizes well what this drama dharna essentially achieved.
why does Pakistanis tolerate these 'parachued-from-above', leaders?
M.A. Jinnah, Nehru, Bhutto father and daughter, Mujib, Indira Gandhi were no pirs but they too attracted millions. Why?
Is it the point of some "CONTENTION" that Dr. Qadri would choose the caretaker head." Or is it the point of some "CONSOLATION?"
You say "We all know that discussions and words usually lead nowhere." What a risible claim! So you would reject negotiations (discussions) and go for the alternative; -fight?
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Great editorial thanks for that. Qadri came in with a giant sucking sound which sucked some naive people of Pakistan. In the end there was a big sound of his balloon popping. As soon as his finances were investigated by both Pakistan and Canada, Qadri ran away. Now he would be fighting for his Canadian citizenship and welfare benefits. A habitual liar cannot be a savior of Pakistan.
This march was watched with curiosity all over the world (unfortunately for Mr. Qadri, the Canadian authorities also did't miss it).
"In the final analysis, there has been no change — beyond damaged green belts in Islamabad from where desperate ‘marchers’ cut down wood."
You said it all.........What an achievement of March for revolution!!!
Shame on you. What would you have said had Nehru not torpedoed the Cabinet Mission Plan. What would have changed materially? I am no Qadri fan, but he already enjoys international publicity. You fault him because he was in his comfortable bunker instead of in the open with his people. But which leader doesn't do the same? Did Benazir march with the people instead of in a bullet-proof transport? Does Nawaz Sharif? Or have you dropped from Mars as Qadri dropped from Canada. You critique the "inbuilt tendency" of common people to follow "pirs and soothsayers" but why haven;t the liberal-secularists have been able to wean them away? You know the answer, I'm sure. You mention damage of the green belt but you jad not a single word of appreciation for the unprecedented peacefulness of an estimated 50,000 people in the sit-in. Amazing standard of journalism, indeed.
What is with that photo? Is it a broken Window or a TV in a casing?
We Indians learnt a bitter lesson after Anna Hazare movement. You can't bring about a change fast thru root of agitation. Agitations tend to fizzle out. Either you sustain it over long long periods of time, or you try to bring change thru votes.
In India, 1975-77 was a period where India experienced autocracy. People came on streets, but that didn't change anything!! The change happened because the elections were held on time.
In the end solutions to most governance issues perhaps is sustained electoral process.