UGLY scenes were witnessed near Bilawal House, Asif Zardari’s Karachi residence, on Sunday as PPP and PTI workers traded blows after Imran Khan’s supporters showed up to protest against the barricades surrounding the premises. The clash was predictable as tension between both parties had been brewing after Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made uncharitable remarks about Imran Khan during his speech at Garhi Khuda Baksh on Dec 27. It was after this speech that the PTI suddenly felt the urge to protest against the encroachment on public roads for Bilawal House’s security. The violence could have been avoided had senior party leaders on both sides reined in their respective supporters during the protest.
It is true that Mr Zardari and his family face significant threats, especially considering the former president’s and his son’s outspoken criticism of militants. And after having already lost Benazir Bhutto to an act of terrorism, the lesson is that the threat must be taken seriously. However, the question remains: does providing sufficient security to Bilawal House and its residents necessarily have to mean encroaching upon public space and causing inconvenience to area residents? Ever since Asif Zardari entered the presidency, those living and working around Bilawal House have had to suffer as access to homes and businesses has been severely restricted. During his tenure, the thick layer of security was perhaps justified. But now that he has left office, does he face the same threat level? Providing security to Bilawal House must be balanced with the right of local citizens to move about freely. While the PTI’s protest was motivated by political point-scoring, the inconvenience to area residents — in fact, to residents in all areas where streets have been blocked due to the presence of ‘important’ people in their midst — is very real. Hence the PPP should free up the roads around Bilawal House, even as the state continues to provide proper security to the party leadership. Other barricaded areas, too, must not be allowed to hamper public movement.
