Of protests and their repercussions

For past two weeks, routine life in Islamabad is at standstill as supporters of PTI, PAT have been camping in Red Zone

For the past two weeks, routine life in the federal capital is at a standstill as supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek have been camping in the Red Zone to press the government for the acceptance of their demands. Some of them allegedly broke into a couple of key government buildings, PTV headquarters and the Parliament House, to be precise.

These protesters, including women, youngsters, senior citizens and even children, are staying put, while their leaders are egging them on. Every few hours, a speech is delivered by PTI chairman Imran Khan and PTI leader Tahirul Qadri and with each passing day, the situation is getting worse.

In all this chaos triggered by a demand for a ‘corrupt government’ to step down, issues of much national importance are being ignored. All the media is focusing on, is one speech or another, one clash or another.

No one is focusing on the IDPs of North Waziristan who have left the comfort of their homes behind and settled in camps so as to let the army clear their areas of militants, in the greater national interest.

Neither Imran Khan nor Tahirul Qadri has once mentioned the displaced in their long, elaborate and condemning speeches.

A polio drive scheduled to begin in Sindh on September 1 had to be put off due to the crisis in the federal capital. The federal department was unable to send the vaccines to the province. What a deplorable state. The number of polio cases reported from the country this year has reached 120. At such a time, each and every vaccine administered is more important than politicians and their never-ending speeches. But unfortunately, the situation in Islamabad led to a drive being postponed and the media, particularly electronic media, had no room to report such an important issue.

Furthermore, the protests have had a damaging effect on the economy. The chaotic situation means foreign investors will shy away from the country. Local businesses suffer when their employees are unable to reach workplace. The same is the case with offices located in the Red Zone. The loss each day runs into millions.

The leaders of the protesting parties give examples of democracy in developed countries but what they forget to mention is that in civilised countries provoking violence is considered a crime and is punishable by law. Protesters remain in their bounds and do not storm government buildings in the developed world. If they do, the police are well within their right to subdue such demonstrators by force.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2014.