Safety at political rallies

One key lesson from Imran Khan's fall was the need to have better medical services available at political rallies.

The unfortunate fall of Imran Khan in Lahore evoked compassion and sympathy for the leader who is leading a historic election campaign in the country. But this incident also raised serious concerns on the larger issue of security arrangements at election rallies. The avoidable incident on May 7 shows how our political parties need to make foolproof arrangements for the safety of their leaders and workers. Another key lesson from this accident was the need to have better medical services available at political rallies. Mr Khan, after the incident, had to be taken to the hospital in a personal car as no ambulance was available on the spot. Similarly, the lack of safety regulations for the company that may have provided for the arrangements also needs to be examined further.

Following the event, we witnessed a rare moment when Pakistan’s politicians united in the wake of Imran Khan’s fall and subsequent hospitalisation, with almost all leaders offering their sympathies. In a heated campaign, all partisan bickering was put aside. Both the MQM and the PML-N cancelled their events for a day and prayed in public for Imran Khan’s health. The PML-N’s response was even more telling, given that the PTI threatens its chances in the Punjab province. Nawaz Sharif’s speech in Rawalpindi was statesmanlike and he also referred to his earlier attempt to bury the hatchet with the PPP, when he was the first political leader to visit the hospital in 2007 where Benazir Bhutto struggled with life after a lethal attack on her. President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed his concern at Khan’s injury.

It is hoped that this will be a turning point when political parties appreciate the simple point that democracy will only strengthen when they all stand together on core issues facing the country. One such issue is that of terrorism which has afflicted the ANP, the PPP and the MQM. The country is passing through an existential crisis and it would be most appropriate if all political parties unequivocally united against the militant threat as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2013.