Bashoo Baloch
Sequel to execution of police constable Malik Mumtaz Qadri, the assassin of Salman Taseer, then governor Punjab; religious fraternity gathered together and registered strong protest against the convict’s execution. Though government kept the entire process prior to execution in low profile and to some extent away from media hype as well. Similarly the show of strength exhibited by religious fraternity pre-dominantly Brelvi School of Thought on his funeral had fizzled out soon. However, Sunni Tahreek and its ilk on ‘fortieth’ (Chihlum) of Qadri’s death again tried to show their coalescence for several days as the clergy gathered people at D-Chowk and kept on harping on certain demands to be accepted by government like declaring Mumtaz Qadri as martyr etc. Entire federal capital remained disturbed and attendance in offices remained quite thin with cellular communication off-air. In fact the normal life routine was virtually brought to stand still. The sabre-rattling of interior ministry and intervening role of some notable clerics paved way and a negotiated settlement was subsequently reached. Thus ended four days stalemate.
One wonders as to how these religious zealots managed to cross into federal capital all the way from Liaquat Bagh, the venue they were allowed to hold ‘fortieth’ programmes. En route to Islamabad protesting activists left complete trail of vandalism they indulged whatever came in their way particularly the newly built metro-stations. Activists and their leaders refreshed the memories of the sit-in staged by Dr Tahir ul Qadri of Pakistan Awami Tahreek and Imran Khan of Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf. This time the attempt was obviously to show the street strength of Sunni-Brelvi activists. Infact Brelvis’ political clout eclipsed a lot particularly in Karachi and a political revival is now their need of hour. Attempt at D-Chowk seems to be part of this exercise. In view of sit-ins and protest demo D-Chowk has now turned it as the point wherefrom one asserts ones muscle strength.
Similarly other religio-political parties particularly Jammat Islami echoed the protestors’ voice which further thickened their resolve to continue with stand-off. Such activity it is believed; has certainly pumped the unnecessary religiosity in the outfits otherwise unable to assert and gather people on some slogans. This sense of religiosity helped clerics to convince people to be on their side. On the other hand trouble-making elements now might have realized that a simple gathering of boisterous people on their side can complicate the situation for government. The latter should have some effective strategy to pre-empt the gathering of restive people inside ‘Red-zone’ intending to make bad scenes.
Four days stand-off created distaste in federal capital and sent unpleasant message to international community sitting in the shape of missions/embassies. Sit-in further pulled away the media from extending coverage to two incidents one took place in Gulshan-e-Iqbal park Lahore and other the news of seizure of RAW (Research and Analysis Wing- Intelligence agency of India) terrorist in Balochistan. The successful seizure of RAW terrorist was needing more focused attention as he is a huge evidence against India’s meddlesome face in Pakistan’s internal situation.
With dispersal of the activists government has probably forgiven the vandalism they indulged and de-shaped the landscape at D-Dhowk and en route to D-Chowk. Few of the metro-stations were rendered unusable due to extensive damage to auto-ticketing equipment and allied infrastructure. To nip in bud such situations government must have effective procedures to deny anarchists’ access to ‘Red-zone’ area so that such scenes are not allowed to recur in future.
Generally held perception is that administration did not show its reaction in true shape. Otherwise relevant sections of criminal law could have been invoked as the protesting clergy was involved in hate speech giving incitement to violence. This extended more audacity to protestors. The effort of clerics was reminding us of their unity shown in forming Muthahidda Majjlis-e-Amal while sinking all the religio-ideological divides in the past. It is believed that Jamait Islami was extending relatively active support with an aim to revive its falling graph of popularity in masses after the lack-lustre performance in last general elections. The symbiotic comfort is seen working well in religious fraternity when the convergence of interest is observed. In that case even ideological cleavages are never raised.
