Crippled city

Lahore limped along all through December 15, barely able to move, as life was brought to a virtual halt by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), which blockaded numerous points in the city from early morning to dusk, under its Plan ‘C’. While party chief Imran Khan has termed the action a “success”, many residents of his hometown have been left wondering quite what has been achieved by inconveniencing so many people. Thousands were unable to reach work, students missed exams and patients requiring attention found themselves unable to reach hospitals. There have been reports of at least two deaths in ambulances held up at points closed by activists. Skirmishes took place at some of these points, but fortunately violence did not occur. The mood, in fact, was generally festive, marred by occasional hooliganism.

The question that the people of Lahore and indeed others around the country ask though is how long this can continue. Economic damage caused by the shutdowns has not been accurately assessed, but many shop owners say they have suffered. Imran Khan, meanwhile, continues to demand that the government set up a judicial commission to probe rigging in the 2013 polls. The government has expressed a willingness to talk, and to ask the Supreme Court to establish the commission. Perhaps, this is what is required to put an end to this situation. What we fail to understand is quite why the process is taking so long. Both sides have agreed to initiate dialogue. It should not take quite so long to reach a mutually acceptable conclusion. The delay on the part of the government is as unfathomable as some of the PTI’s antics. After all, only more damage and more chaos will be inflicted if the PTI is allowed to continue with its plan. It has stated that it will shut down the entire country if the government fails to form the judicial commission although this has been postponed for now in light of the events in Peshawar. The government needs to show some urgency. Yes, there is bitterness on both sides, but it is the task of politicians to overcome the current stalemate.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2014.

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