- But mischief still remains out of control
Ignoring Imran Khan’s call not to clash with the state the shortsighted TLP leadership has taken to the streets. On Thursday, miniscule groups of TLP followers forcibly closed the motorway and the urban traffic arteries in major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar. The mischief mongers’ threatening posture led to the shutting down of schools, colleges and several shopping centers in these cities.
As the wave of extremism spread in the country during the last many years the PML-N and PTI either looked the other way or made use of the extremists for short term benefits. The PML-N’s Punjab government declined to take any action to stop the hate campaign against Governor Salman Taseer that finally led to his assassination. In November last year the PTI opposed the use of force by the PML-N government to dislodge the TLP from Faizabad where its campers had forcibly stopped all traffic between Islamabad and Rawalpindi while TLP leaders used offensive language about the government and the courts. Even the establishment discouraged the use of force against the violent outfit. The snakes were kept in the backyard in the fond hope that these would bite the opponents only.
The PTI government has failed to go beyond a tough warning. The imposition of Section 144 has proved to be futile. What is needed immediately are effective measures to restore normal life in the major cities by ending the sit-ins and violent protests. There is a need to ensure the protection of lives and places of worship of the minorities. All those who threatened the judges and tried to spread disaffection in the army need to be urgently apprehended and taken to courts. It is heartening that the government has taken both the PPP and PML-N on board. This should further strengthen the government’s hands to take measures to restore law and order in the country. There is also a need to launch a sustained and multifaceted countrywide campaign against the menace of extremism. Unless extremist tendencies are brought under control calls like those issued by the TLP leadership will continue to be made, disturbing social life and bringing bad name to the country.
