Rewarding instead of punishing mischief makers
Acts of lawlessness and vandalism have stopped after three days as a result of a truce between the government and the TLP. This would provide relief to a harassed citizenry which had seen some of the worst display of mob violence in recent years. The settlement however leaves a number of troublesome questions unanswered. To many the five point agreement is an act of appeasement that condones the excesses committed by the TLP supporters. The government has agreed to release immediately all arrested for indulging in lawlessness. This implies turning a blind eye to acts of arson like burning motorcycles, rickshaws, buses and cars plying on the roads during the protests. Over 20 police personnel were injured, along with two SHOs and a DSP trying to maintain peace in Lahore on one day alone. Will the release of those arrested for attacks not demoralize the police force?
The government’s inaction followed by surrender has sent an eerie message to the common man that he is defenseless in the face of crowds mobilized by extremists. Asia Bibi’s counsel who faced threats to his life has announced to leave the country. While the judgment by the SC was welcomed by the minorities they feel uncomfortable at the government’s pusillanimity. In his brief TV address Imran Khan had promised that the “state will fulfill its duty and protect people’s properties and lives”. Since the government failed to do this it has to compensate all those who have suffered economic losses at the hands of the miscreants.
The surrender has encouraged Maulana Fazlur Rehman who has warned of more agitation until the SC verdict is revoked. The JUI-F has already started holding rallies against the verdict. The party maintains that the PTI-led government will have to go home as a repercussion of the decision of the Supreme Court.
The extremists are out to achieve the aims and objects of the TTP terrorists through mob action instead of bombs, automatic weapons and I.E.Ds. Both the terrorists and extremists want to dismantle Jinnah’s democratic and pluralistic Pakistan installing instead a primitive and intolerant system out of sync with the times. A week-kneed government is helping the extremists achieve their goal.