ISLAMABAD: Even though the youth are often considered agents of change; prone to revolutionary tendencies and politically disruptive, the current anti-government drive is being spearheaded by two elderly men.

The 61-year-old Imran Khan and the 63-year-old Dr Tahirul Qadri are demanding the removal of the 64-year-old Nawaz Sharif.

But the old timers are not just on the government’s side. In fact, a large number of elderly and senior citizens have been spotted at the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) sit-in, proving that one does not need young blood to dream of change.

Despite their loyalty to Dr Tahirul Qadri, senior citizens are realistic about what sit-in can and cannot achieve

Having witnessed decades of political turmoil and bringing many years of experience to the table, the senior revolutionaries of PAT have descended upon Aabpara from different parts of the country. Nearly all of them are determined to stay there until their leader Dr Qadri orders them otherwise. But they have mixed feelings about the fate of the Inqilab March.

Sarfaraz Khan, 65, a resident of Adiala Road in Rawalpindi, said that he was with the PAT chief because of his devotion to the religious scholar. “I have been a fan of Dr Qadri’s sermons for decades,” said Khan.

It is this devotion which has brought him to Aabpara to attend Dr Qadri’s rally. But despite his longstanding support, Sarfaraz was not very optimistic about the outcome of the Inqilab March.

“I don’t think revolution can be achieved overnight,” he said, adding, “revolution takes years of struggle and hundreds of sacrifices.”

Syed Mujaddad, 50, from Wah Cantonment, also believes that a revolution can take time to materialise. However, he said that Dr Qadri may make certain key decisions during this march, which could eventually lead to a peaceful change.

Meanwhile, other PAT supporters were confident that a revolution was imminent. Mohammad Irshad, 54, who came from Khanewal district, said that he will stay in Aabpara Chowk till the revolution materialises. “I am a heart patient and my doctor has advised me to stay away from such activities but I ignored his instructions,” he said.

Faizan Ali, 67, a PAT activist from Lahore, said Dr Qadri started his struggle 35 years ago and now the time was ripe for revolution. He said that he would not go home without achieving his objectives.

Amir Hamza, 54, of Okara, a self-proclaimed ‘hardcore revolutionary’, came to the sit-in with his wife, 13-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter.

He said that the current government had failed to address their problems and the system needed to be changed. He said he supported the revolution for the sake of his children’s future.

Mohammad Afzal, 74, said that he has witnessed many regimes throughout his life. According to him, after every regime, people expect the newcomers to resolve the problems of the common man, “but every ruler disappointed us.”

Afzal said that Dr Qadri, through this revolution, could address the problems of the poor.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2014