The country’s capital Islamabad has been under siege for almost a fortnight. Followers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) have occupied the capital’s ‘Red Zone’ and, besides other things, they are demanding resignation from the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The principal charge of election rigging leveled by the two parties against the incumbent government may be correct, to some extent, but unless proven accurate with tangible evidence this demand of theirs may not be fully unjustified.
The issues of corruption, nepotism, economic and social injustice and election reforms raised by both PTI and PAT are true down to the core. Their demand to bring about a phenomenal change in the existing system of autocratic governance and making it more people-centered is undoubtedly the need of the hour and must be implemented in letter and spirit. However, the path chosen by the leaders of both the parties to get their demands fulfilled is perhaps not appropriate.
The country’s history stands testimony to the fact that long marches and demonstrations, such as the one currently underway in the capital, have done more harm to the country than good. It has always caused huge losses to the country in economic terms. Not only this, it has also badly tarnished the image of Pakistan in the comity of civilized nations of the world.
The ongoing protests launched by PTI and PAT against the incumbent government, besides holding the capital of Pakistan hostage for almost two weeks and making lives of the residents miserable, has made the already severely battered economy of the country suffer a mammoth financial loss of over Rs. 800 billion. This loss undoubtedly is bound to increase further if the protests continue and an early end to the impasse is not brought about through meaningful dialogue between the government and the agitating parties. The protest marches of PTI and PAT is naturally also having a negative impact on foreign investment in the country. According to government sources the heads of states of China and Sri Lanka have postponed their visits due to the prevailing situation and the country could not hold important economic negotiations with these economic partners. The source added that in view of the political dilemma the country is currently caught in, enormous efforts will have to be made to erase the harmful effects of this upheaval on the economy. One earnestly hopes that sense will ultimately prevail and the leaders of the agitating parties and those at the helm in the government will sincerely endeavor to amicably resolve the present political stalemate, as quickly as possible, in the larger interest and benefit of this nation.
M FAZAL ELAHI
Islamabad
