THE government has come out with a plan to celebrate Independence Day on Aug 14 at D-Chowk in Islamabad this time instead of the old practice of holding it at a confined space to eliminate the risk of terrorist attacks.

Not only that but from some radio reports, some ministers are saying that these would last for two weeks. They are making it appear that this is being done to express joy at the military’s successful operation in North Waziristan.

This reminds me of the then US president George Bush Jr’s declaration of ‘Mission Accomplished’ shortly after the start of the war against Iraq when he was visiting US troops in the region. We all know how self-delusional and wrong that claim was.

Similarly, the government ought to wait to make sure that militants have not only been eliminated from North Waziristan but also from all over Pakistan and they could no longer pose any threat to anyone.

From the statement by a military spokesman recently, it is clear that most of the TTP and allied leaders have been able to escape.

I think the reason for undertaking this open-venue celebration is to pre-empt the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf from holding their Aug 14 long march or other protests. That is why all such events have been banned during the government’s celebrations.

However, instead of putting at risk the lives of the military top brass, political leadership and diplomatic and other invitees, they should hold the ceremony at a safe location.

The PML-N leaders should desist from putting so many lives at risk. Instead, they can make the PTI change its mind by promising to hold a recount of the votes in the four constituencies.

K. Perwaiz
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2014