Once remembered for an annual graceful congregation of National Armed Forces jawans, marking Pakistan Day (23rd March) with full-fledged display of armaments, Parade Avenue at D-Chowk in the red zone area adjacent to the presidency, on Jinnah Avenue, now has become a Hyde Park for the protesters of Islamabad, perturbing the office goers and other travellers.
The increased understanding about the right to freedom of expression amongst the people of the federal capital is a step to form the basis of a true democratic state. But this does not mean exercising the right at the cost of inconvenience to hundreds of employees working in public and private offices, including PNCA, PTV, PTCL, PTA, Awami Markaz and other private offices and residential area of Gulshan-e-Jinnah in F-5. It is not ideal for a democratic society to march on the roads to glorify the show of dissent over various social, economic, religious and political issues.
Instead of staging protest at Parade Avenue, National Press Club (NPC) in F-6/1, Super Market (F-6 Markaz) and Aabpara Chowk (G-6) are the other favourite picking spots for the demonstrators.
This trend has gained momentum with the series of protests organised by lawyers to seek justice for the chief Justice in 2007. The sufferers might be justifying but the sole aim should be to record their protest in the media so that it could be conveyed to the government.
The wave of terror that has swept the people with fear was the point of discouragement for the people to come on the roads amid the alarm of terrorist attacks, especially for Islooites, but in recent months, every now and then people are in a move to show disapproval on the national and international issues. The police officials cordon off the chowk once protesters reach Parade Avenue, causing traffic jams and flow of traffic becomes slow.
The people feel that marching on the road in front of the presidency is a way to inform the government of their sufferings. On almost daily basis, protests-cum-sit-in demonstrations are held at Parade Avenue by various private, public bodies and NGOs. The other hot spots for such protest rallies are Aabpara Chowk and National Press Club (near Super Market). The sits-in and rallies are held by FDE employees, OGDC, PTCL, NEF, NCHD and political as well as religious parties and university students on regular basis these days here at Parade Avenue.
The residents of the nearby localities often complain that these protests on daily basis have hampered their routine activities. “I am a student. Whenever I go out with my family at evening time for shopping, I have to wait for hours wasting time and fuel,” said Ahad Ahmad. He urged the authorities to arrange a single spot for these protesters to register their complaints without disturbing others.
Talking to this scribe, spokesperson for ICT Chief Commissioner Khalid Mehmood said a comprehensive policy was being devised to make arrangements for protests in red zone area of the city and other spots like Aabpara and National Press Club near Supermarket. “Under this policy, a spot will be fixed for protesters to hold rallies, sits-in and demonstrations to register their protest against the authorities concerned. “This policy is being drafted under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Amir Ahmed Ali to solve the problems of commuters, patients, students and office goers,” Mehmood said.
