Who mandated defence to DPC?
Ideas, even when perceived to be highly disruptive, pose no threat to democracy unless their holders start threatening to impose them on society by recourse to violence. Democracy in fact immunises society against pernicious tendencies by encouraging discussions at forums like parliament, media and public gatherings. Any group which can persuade enough people and win the elections can put its ideas into practice through enactment of new laws. In case it fails to command sufficient strength in parliament, it can try its luck at the next elections. No democracy would, however, allow preaching of violent methods to seek power. The decisions taken at a pubic gathering orangaised by Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) in Karachi would worry anyone who wants peace and stability in Pakistan.
DPC comprises the reincarnation of two banned groups under new names, an outfit that opposes democracy and elections for being ‘un-Islamic,’ three religious parties and a handful of Musharraf’s cronies kept politically alive by a section of the media. The DPC has announced that parliament will not be allowed to give India the status of most privileged nation nor permit NATO trucks to carry goods through Pakistan. One concedes that there are two opinions in the country over these issues but who is authorised to take a decision on them, the elected parliament or the mob? A DPC leader also called on the audience to “break the legs of any ‘whore’ who went to India to sing and act in films”, which amounts to instigating the mob to take law into its hands. Those opposed to certain policies have every right to criticise them. They have also a right to hold peaceful protests. The DPC however wants to march on Islamabad and encircle the parliament on February 20. This amounts to challenging the constitutional right of the parliament to take decisions on important matters. Who has given the DPC a mandate to dictate to the supreme law making body?
A former DG ISI, known for extremist leanings, was also among the speakers at the Karachi rally. This raises another serious issue. Are only the retired individuals and mavericks belonging to the agencies supporting the DPC or there is more to it than meets the eye?