The desi version of ‘Animal Farm’

Six friends have set up a cattle pen to keep their sacrificial animals and named it the ‘Go Nawaz Go bara’

KARACHI: These days, the whole country seems to be singing the catchphrase: ‘Go Nawaz Go’. From the halls of the houses of legislature to streets in the larger urban centres, all seem to be echoing with the same slogan.

This time, it is Punjab that has been leading the protests against the incumbent government. But Karachi has not been far behind. Citizens of the country’s largest conurbation have come up with ingenious ways to mark their own protest.

In North Karachi, a group of friends has set up a makeshift cattle pen and named it the ‘Go Nawaz Go Bara’. The enclosure has been established at an empty plot near the Power House Chowrangi.

“We are a group of six friends who have prepped up this area to keep our sacrificial animals until Eidul Azha,” said 24-year-old Hassan Sani, a resident of the Markaz-e-Irfan apartment block.

“This is no longer a mere slogan. It has become the talk of the nation,” he said, pointing towards the banner that read ‘Go Nawaz Go bara’.

These young men do not have any political affiliation; neither do they have a political motive. “This is just our way of protesting the injustices of the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz government,” said Faraz. They want PM Sharif to step down due to his corruption and rigging in the elections.

“We sought permission from the owner of the empty plot, cleaned the site and set up a marquee that cost us around Rs6000,” Hassan explained.

“There is room for almost fifteen cows and goat in the plot,” said Faraz Ali, another member of the group. A litter of pups stood at the entrance of the marquee. Ali called them the security guards of the ‘Nawaz Bara’, an apparent reference to the goons and thugs of the PML-N.

The presence of DJ Butt and Gullu Butt at the cattle pen did not come as a surprise. “One bull has been named DJ Butt because it walks stylishly and is a handsome beast, and the other Gullu Butt because it is arrogant and does not let anyone approach it”, Faraz told.

They have not named any animal after any politician’s name because they do not want to offend anyone.

Sumair Khan, 21, a member of the group, owns a calf, who they called ‘Shehzadi’ (princess). “I don’t intend to slaughter her”, he said, petting her back. “She has a separate place as she is very dear to us”, he said, beaming. He intends to rear her until next Eid. “I have kept her aloof because she is very young and may not survive the corruption of the Nawaz den,” he remarked slyly.