No banning rallies

A BAN on election rallies would no doubt save the PML-Q the time and expense involved in renting crowds and organising contrived public meetings. It would have little adverse effect on a political party with poor grassroots support and whose election strategy is dependent heavily on the influence of incumbency and the cooperation of the official machinery. Such restrictions would, in fact, greatly benefit an increasingly desperate Q-League. If the Pakistan People’s Party and Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N — the two genuinely popular parties that have been deliberately sidelined since 1999 — are allowed to mobilise their supporters without let or hindrance, the ground beneath the PML-Q’s feet will be even shakier than it already is. Hence Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s advice to the prime minister that political rallies be banned in the run-up to the next election makes perfect sense from a PML-Q perspective. Clutching at straws for quite some time, the king’s party is now using the Oct 19 carnage in Karachi as an excuse to stifle the electioneering process. Obviously the overwhelming public response accorded to Benazir Bhutto could not have gone down well with the likes of Chaudhry Shujaat and similar hangers-on who now feel threatened. No obstacles were placed in the organisation of the massive welcome received by Ms Bhutto, thanks to her highly questionable deal with a military ruler. If similar allowances come to be made for Nawaz Sharif and his PML-N, the ruling coterie would find itself in even deeper waters.

Free electioneering is desirable not just for reasons of fair play and a level playing field for every contestant. Ms Bhutto is often wrong in her reasoning but she was not off the mark when she described the Karachi suicide attack as a strike against democracy. An unpopular government such as the one in place today suits the extremists. Their violence, despicable as it is, is perhaps not as roundly condemned as it would be if the rulers enjoyed public legitimacy. When usurpers are in power, even the most dastardly of acts can lose their edge. When prolonged disinterest dulls the senses and when people expect nothing of the state, shoulders are shrugged and resignation rules. Things could be different with a government in which people have a glimmer of hope.

Public rallies and other meetings are important not just as a show of strength by the political parties. On a more individual level, participation in the democratic process liberates the citizen from the psychology of terror which thrives on silence. It can help free the public from the nameless yet tangible fears that prevent the peaceful majority from raising its voice. This was evident in Thursday’s PPP rally where the participants in their exuberance all but forgot how vulnerable such gatherings can be to terrorist attacks — until the blasts came. We would still not advocate bans on public rallies. In these dangerous times, what is required is greater caution in the organisation of such assemblies, by whichever party. The show must go on and Ms Bhutto was right in her decision to return to the country and mobilise her supporters. Thus alone can a message be sent to terrorists that the majority of the people do not believe in the politics of terror.

Fuel for thought

PUBLIC convenience appears to be the first casualty of any disruption in normal life in Karachi. Take the case of a basic and crucial necessity such as fuel. It becomes scarce when VIP movements take place or there is a call for a political rally or a strike. Hapless dealers claim that their petrol stations are closed by the home department and police stations, citing safety concerns as the predominant reason. A relatively recent phenomenon, the closure of petrol and gas stations creates serious human hazards as emergency services such as ambulances, fire brigades and vehicles of law enforcement agencies are brought to a grinding halt. Public transport is another victim, where owners suffer daily setbacks; commuters are kept away from their jobs, educational institutions have to be shut down and contractual employees and daily wage earners suffer significant pay cuts.

Dealers recall that even in times of worse turmoil such as the early nineties, Karachi’s petrol stations remained operational. The changing temperament of the city has made attacks on pumps more random and now they are no longer restricted to volatile areas. The recent three-day closure of petrol pumps across the city following the arrival of Benazir Bhutto and the subsequent carnage can safely be billed as the most damaging in recent years. According to the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association, staggering losses to the tune of Rs150m have been incurred in the past three days by the shutdown of the city’s 300 petrol stations. Although the police attribute these closures to a dearth of personnel to guard spots vulnerable to mob fury, blanket shutdowns are hardly long-term remedies. Perhaps, comprehensive mapping of the city can enable the home department to decipher the location of susceptible stations, which can remain closed in sensitive times. Another way out may be a rotation system whereby specified central fuel pumps can stay open.

Fewer police officials would then be required to guard them. However, it is a wonder that despite new police wings such as Mohafiz, crucial areas such as fuel pump have to do without security.

Islamabad’s underprivileged

IT is not difficult to understand why residents in Islamabad’s less privileged sectors have long felt that they have been the victims of neglect by the Capital Development Authority. Compared to the better-off areas, most facilities in their sectors seem to be poorly maintained, whether it be water or electricity supply, streetlights, roads, parks or markets. What is even more frustrating for these residents is that complaints by them to the CDA about their problems are usually not attended to promptly, if at all. There are numerous examples of this discrimination. Thus residents of two lower-income sectors adjoining Rawalpindi who have recently complained about the poor sanitation conditions in their locality, particularly the main market areas, have failed to evoke a response.

Residents of another lower-income sector nearby are facing a major problem of another kind. A popular Sunday bazaar is being moved to another location because it comes in the way of the under-construction 9th Avenue. Already irked by the bazaar’s shifting to a different and further location, residents are being inconvenienced even more by the bazaar’s closure before the completion of the construction of the new bazaar. If the CDA had any empathy for the thousands of residents who patronise this bazaar thrice a week for relatively cheap food items, it would have ensured that construction of the new site would have been completed before the bazaar at the old location is closed, so that the people would not be left high and dry for months on end waiting for the new facility to be completed and opened. This simply points to the discriminatory attitude the administration adopts when it comes to making and implementing policies for the non-elite. They are after all equally entitled to civic facilities as the others in the capital city.

Unconditional love of people deserves response

Kawish

THE river does not ask the way to the sea. It flows crossing the mountains and goes through the plains to reach the sea. It is the pull of the sea that attracts it. Same was the case on Oct 18 when a sea of people bubbling with emotions and love moved to Karachi — a sight never witnessed before. The Arabian Sea also looked on with a tinge of jealousy. Here was Benazir Bhutto in the city, and advice issued by the government and threats to her life could not stop her. She came and met the sea of masses.

This historical welcome proved that her vote bank is intact. The PPP leadership has not forgotten the art of mass mobilisation.

Who enjoys popular support? This question is answered by political leaders at different times through rallies and public meetings. But it is also to be seen how many people who are there really come voluntarily and how many constitute a ‘rent a crowd’. The gathering at Karachi was of those who had reached there voluntarily.

Jobs and economic opportunities are created by establishing industries and institutions and not selling these units.— (Oct 19)

Karachi carnage and its political implications

Awami Awaz

UNDEMOCRATIC forces once again unleashed bloodshed in Karachi, and the occasion was the reception accorded to a popular leader during her homecoming after an eight-year exile. After witnessing a peaceful reception, the hope was raised that in contrast to the May 12 incident, democratic forces would be tolerated. But all of a sudden two blasts rocked Karachi leaving 140 people dead and 540 injured.

The first reaction from the interior of Sindh to this tragic incident in Karachi came in the form of protests. The people of Sindh are used to such incidents. But when mourning becomes the order of the day, with no let-up, then people will not only want to mourn or wait to be killed. People are conscious; they can identify those responsible for the tragic incidents.

Now democratic political activities have been made more difficult, and the election campaign will not be with the massive mobilisation and activation of the public as this incident has blocked political activities, processions and gatherings, which are otherwise the basics of the poll process. — (Oct 20)

–– Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi