Karachi clampdown

Preventing political groups from making their grievances heard is undemocratic.

The imposition of Section 144 in Karachi, which prohibits the gathering of more than four people in any one spot, would effectively, put a stop to political gatherings in the city. This is unjust and blatantly unfair, since the fact of the matter is that electioneering is still on in Karachi. The Election Commission of Pakistan has ordered a re-poll at around 40 polling stations in NA-250, as well as PS-112 and PS-113, where there were allegations of widespread wrongdoing and malpractice. Till this exercise has been completed, the parties involved have every right to campaign and stage rallies and meetings to do so. The clampdown on such activity is thus highly problematic. With Section 144 in place, they will not be able to do so. The order also prevents political groups from making their grievances heard, which they have every right to peacefully do. Preventing this is undemocratic and will only add to frustration, resentment and misgivings. This is not a positive development for it effectively puts a stop to legitimate political activity.

It is also a fact that Section 144 has been misused far too often in our country. This has been the case in Karachi, too. A giant hurdle has been put in place, preventing people from exercising their basic rights and possibly influencing the important re-polling process in NA-250, PS-112 and PS-113 to be held on May 19. The matter needs to be reconsidered in the interests of justice, so that we can evolve into a true democracy rather than one where the basic rights of citizens, including that to peaceful assembly, are blocked again and again. This will result only in more problems as the sense of injustice and the anger that comes with it expands. This matter must be dealt with in a mature manner, so that allegations of unfairness in electioneering and polling do not continue to mar the historic achievement of transition of power from one democratic government to another.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2013.