Assault on democracy
Tahirul Qadri has launched the long march and the subsequent sit-in at a time when internal and external threats to the country’s integrity have reached a new peak. During December, Pakistan reeled under some of the deadliest terrorist attacks. While it was still trying to recover from the impact, the LeJ launched one of its most devastating attacks in Quetta killing over 80 Hazaras. On Tuesday, 18 bullet-riddled bodies were recovered from Barra, including those of security personnel and a number of peace committee members. Border clashes on the LoC have already taken toll of three jawans while relations with India have suddenly plummeted after threats from the Indian army and air force chiefs. The ongoing peace process has abruptly come to a halt with Manmohan Singh maintaining that relations with Pakistan can no more be characterised as business as usual. What is required is a complete understanding between the civilian and the military establishments to meet the threats successfully. What one finds is the opposite.
There is a perception in the country that a conspiracy is afoot to derail the system. The Supreme Court verdict to arrest the PM is also being interpreted in the same context. The sit-in by Tahirul Qadri’s marchers has entered a fourth day. The cleric with dual nationality has vowed to continue to occupy the centre of Islamabad till his illegal and unconstitutional demands for the removal of the elected government and the assemblies are met. The way he issues orders to the government has strengthened the view that he enjoys support from powerful quarters. The assault on democracy has caused reaction in the country. The protests launched in Sindh on Tuesday were followed by protests in Lahore where thousands of members of civil society and political activists gathered in front of the provincial assembly and vowed to oppose conspiracies against democracy. A number of opposition parties at a meeting called by Nawaz Sharif opposed any unconstitutional change while Imran Khan rejected Qadri’s invitation and supported elections on time as the only way of a change in government. What the country needs is unity in the face of the internal and external threats instead of polarisation leading to confrontation and civil strife.
The army cannot deal with terrorism or external threats without national unity and public support. As things stand, the perceived support for Qadri is fast creating a gulf created between the people and the army. Qadri’s invocations of army and judiciary have added to the suspicions in the common people’s minds. As statements by prominent human rights activists, former and present office bearers of the SCBA and a number of politicians indicate, the perception is spread wide. There is a need under the circumstances for the army to take steps that show that it remains subservient to the civilian authority and has no political agenda of its own.