An abject surrender

• After the army’s refusal to open fire on protesters

The government surrendered to the TLYR leadership when the COAS told the premier that the army cannot be used against its own people. The terms accepted include Zahid Hamid’s resignation, release of detained protesters and dropping all charges against them. The government has also agreed to an enquiry committee to probe what action is to be taken against the officials behind the Saturday operation. Those responsible would be prosecuted within 30 days.

The government has to answer important questions. Has Zahid Hamid done something culpable or was made a scapegoat, a common practice with this government? The constitution defines Ahmadis as non-Muslim and no subsidiary legislation can declare them otherwise without a constitutional amendment, and Hamid had done no such thing. Instead of defending its minister the government, fearing that the bigots could jeopardise its electoral prospects, decided to throw Hamid under the bus.

In case the government believed Hamid had done something wrong, why did it not send him home immediately instead of waiting for nearly three weeks? Who is to be held responsible for the suffering undergone by about two million people living in the twin cities due to the Faizabad blockade, hardships for the students, patients, litigants, daily wagers, government employees and the business community? Why did the interior minister boast that he could remove the few hundred camping at Faizabad within hours? Why did he later claim that the court and not the government ordered the operation?

The government wants to have the cake and eat it too. It went for an ill-conceived operation that was bound to flop and blamed the court for it, fearing the backlash during the elections. Those keen to mainstream terrorist and extremist groups have to realise the harm these would do to the state and society when they enter national politics. Some of the important questions raised by IHC on Monday regarding the role of the army during the episode need to be answered by relevant authorities. Among other things how will the government release on bail or pardon those booked under ant-terrorism laws?