Tazeen Akhtar
Finally PTI rally reached Jinnah Avenue of Islamabad that was the destination of the charged march mainly from Peshawer where PTI is ruling for last 12 years. KP is the strong hold of PTI though the party claims to be the largest and the most popular in whole country. CM KP province along with Bushra BB, the spouse of Imran Khan, the detained leader of PTI. Now what ? all eyes and ears on BB who is said to have the power to change Imran’s decisions.
6 lives lost so far in last 3 days and nights of march through blocked roads and highways with containers by the gov but failed to stop the mob that was quipped with heavy machinery and cranes to pull the containers and throw away from the way.
Background – Why Long March
PTI issued long march call for release of Imran who is booked for at least a dozen cases of traitory, corruption, money laundering and soon is feared to be trialed in a military court. His closest General now retired Faiz is also facing charges of misconduct and criminal case in the matter of a real estate Top City Islamabad. He can also be sentences in coming days. dozens of workers including women had been arrested on 09 May charges.
Demands of PTI
PTI is seeking release of Imran and workers, revocation of 26th amendment that entitled the chiefs of armed forces to remain in service for 5 years, a new arrangement in superior judiciary, restoration / provision of the mandate PTI won in election Feb 2024 and last but not the least resignation of the federal government. All demands unacceptable for the gov as well as the establishment.
Deaths and Cross Allegations
The march is now a bloody march as one police constable, 4 rangers personnel and one civilian have been killed so far. Interior Ministry blames that the constable was tortured to death by PTI workers while 4 rangers personnel were struck by a PTI vehicle at 22 no chunggi , a stop at down town Islamabad. Independent sources share that the rangers were crushed to death by their own vehicles when they were running away from the scene. A retired FC person Ilyas is also among the dead whose brother Safeer alleged that the Rangers jeep took the life of his brother.
Pakistan in the World – October 2024
Where is the March now?
The workers of PTI have occupied the main areas of Jinnah Avenue Islamabad while the security personnel are still incharg from Shaheed e Millat to D-Chowk but it is too small a place to be held for long in the face of thousands of angry workers who have snatched tear gas shells and other equipment including helmets and protective shields from rangers and police.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited D-Chowk to review the security arrangements from D-Chowk to Shaheed Millat Chowk. Interior Minister stood with the personnel during the shelling, boosting their morale and urging them to counter the miscreants.
Mohsin Naqvi paid homage to the four Rangers personnel who were martyred in the attack and expressed heartfelt condolences to their families. He directed to provide the best medical facilities to the injured Rangers and police personnel.
How Many ?
The number of the workers is not less than one hundred thousand but the number is not important now when Gov has almost gave in to the power of the protestors. Security is losing heart after 3 long days and nights on duty with no rest and proper food while the mobs coming from different sides are encouraged with the fall of every post in their way.
Gov Confused
Gov should have been confident but seems confused as on one side issued orders of shoot to kill and on other side engaged Imran in dialogue. The whole matter of PTI 24 Nov Call has been tackled by Interior Minister who is not representative of the Gov. He was imposed by the Establishment. That is the main reason, Gov is not dealing with PTI as one single entity. Moreover , Gov is not in any position to give anything to PTI as the cases are in the courts while the amendment can only be revoked by another amendment and for that green signal from Rawalpindi is not possible.
MURSHAD BB
The situation is now in the hands of Bushra BB who is revered by not only the workers but by the leader Imran as well, like a saint (Murshad). Imran used to take decisions in gov matters only after the consultation with BB during his premiership. Murshad is first time leading the political rally in open. Imran will issue a direction for further moves only after the approval of the Murshad. Therefore all eyes and ears are towards Murshad now.
The Damage to the Country and the Public
All main roads and entry points into main cities especially Rawalpindi Islamabad are closed except those cleared by the mobs with KP gov machinery. 80% businesses, markets, shops , hotels, restaurants, workshops, factories are closed. Schools Colleges are closed. Supply of milk, fruits, vegetables disrupted that caused huge rise in the prices.
The people returning abroad can not find transport to homes and stuck at the airports. In a case , Punjab police picked up women who were returning from Umra and they showed the travel documents of the same date. Many patients could not reach hospitals while many marriages were stopped or postponed.
The Embassies in Islamabad are closed while many have postponed their national days. The President of Belarus visited Islamabad in the same situation when the capital city was looking like an abandoned city after some bloody war.
Any Double Game?
Some political observers do not rule out the double game of the Establishment in this mess. BB Murshad was released on bail and allowed to live in her home as sub jail only after an understanding between Imran and Establishment. Now when she left Bani Gala and moved to Peshawar and now leading a long march to occupy the Capital of the country with state machinery of a provincial government, the observers are justified to see across the wall. Divide and Rule is the formula to rule over the majority after all.
Lets see how the government of Pakistan survives this situation……
What Next?
That is not predictable. PTI has a history of ramming into the Parliament with trucks and attacks on PTV in 2014 and attacks on military installations in 2022 May 09. Security personnel have been killing innocent people on roads. That is also a bitter history of this country. Example Sahiwal where a family was gunned down by security personnel only because they had doubt on their driver that he belonged to some banned org. Both sides have been using power illegally and brutally.
Unfortunately non experienced and immature people are at the helm of affairs at both sides. Be it CM KPK and BB or Federal Interior Minister. Therefore anything can happen tonight or tomorrow.
Both sides have no margin of retreat now. PTI side will lose workers and will face reaction of charged workers if returned with no gain from here. Establishment can not give in, can not accept conditions of PTI after creating so much mess and losing the lives of the security personnel.
Now only a big bang can decide the game , this side or that side…………..
Pakistan in the World – Aug / Sep 2024
