This past Monday, the IJT held its annual congregation on the Ferozepur Road in Lahore. Without any regard for public convenience, they had boarded up a significant portion of the road since 11 am even though their programme was supposed to start at 4 pm. The road is one of the major carriers of traffic flow in the city. Its closure meant that traffic was horribly jammed not only at juncture to roads connected with this but all major roads such as Jail Road. Around the times schools ended, it was veritable hell for people. Children were stuck in traffic for hours thanks to this.
The fact that an organisation can be allowed to abuse a public road like this shows how much control the administration has over them. They can do as they please, when they please. This congregation could’ve been held at some park or on a weekend. If at all it had to take on a public road, at least the local administration should’ve been asked for prior permission so they could’ve made arrangements to ameliorate the inconvenience of the locals.
While congregating peacefully in any place is the political right of all citizens and organisation. But they must exercise this right in regard for the welfare of others. If they continue to disregard public convenience this way, it will disenchant the public from not only them but of political processes in general.
SANA CHEEMA
Lahore
