Tired but not broken: Resilience, determination high at sit-ins

When asked about the sanitation facilities, women replied that the container toilets are available for women to use.

ISLAMABAD:

How much farther is the protest rally, a middle-aged woman with a lazy leg asks a policeman. Just a little more, he replies. The woman, adorned in the colours of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) flag and beaming enthusiastically, moves forward.

A horde of people hustled along Nazimuddin Road towards D-Chowk in the humid afternoon.

The sound of the speakers filled the entire area, as the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and PTI sit-ins drew closer. At four in the afternoon, supporters, some with empty stomachs, marched around, enthusiastically chanting slogans.

PAT supporters flash victory signs (left), while people line up for food at a nearby distribution point (right). PHOTOS: AGHA MEHROZ, WASEEM NAZIR/EXPRESS

Two elderly women from a nearby slum expressed optimism that the ten-day standoff would bring good tidings. “We have been without electricity and gas and now the government is going to snatch our homes from us as well. We direly need this,” one of them remarked.

When asked about the sanitation facilities, the women replied that the container toilets are available for women to use.

A large number of people roaming around the Red Zone displayed similar levels of exhilaration, despite their varying backgrounds.

The PTI’s supporters seem to comprise people predominantly from middle and upper-middle class backgrounds. A woman from Lahore stated confidently that she and her husband were not going to leave till Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tenders a resignation and change is brought about.

PTI party members wavered in the scorching heat, handing out food to hungry supporters.

Islamabad women chapter vice-president, Nasreen Zafar said they are trying their best to not face any trouble, while admitting there had been some hiccups in food distribution.

The march has attracted a variety of people, including the famous ‘Chacha Cricket’, who is seen at every cricket match. He remarked that such demonstrations are very important to overthrow the rulers who live extravagantly while the people suffer. He was a quite celebrity at the sit-in and had generated a nice little fan following of his own.

Though the spirits of the people were sky high, they could be seen going through hard times as they finally ate lunch at five in the evening.

There also seemed to be a scarcity of water. Though dozens of water bottles were regularly made available, they were always insufficient for crowds of thousands.

A little way off, the sides of the venue had become flooded with used food boxes, while the smell of human waste would pierce the nose in some areas. Among sit in participants though, the scent of hope and resilience seemed to be far higher.

When asked who he supported, setting aside his duty, a policeman stated coyly that the parties and government should negotiate in order to bring close this chapter.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2014.