EVERY year, during the month of March, the people of Islamabad gear up to bear with girth, perseverance and fortitude the preparations that lead to Pakistan Day on March 23.
Arrangements begin with a bloodless coup, in which the Capital Police surrenders its authority to Pakistan Army which then takes control of the capital for a period of two months.
However, this year, as it turned out, things were different. The event became a non-event when it was decided, just 48 hours prior to March 23 that “in view of the sad and tragic developments in Iraq, and the deep anguish caused to the people of Pakistan, the government has cancelled the Pakistan Day Parade of March 23.”
Aside from the fact that the government took its time in taking this decision, the Pakistan Day preparations, that had been going on for the past two months were causing ‘deep anguish’ to the Islooites. Imagine being awakened rudely every morning, for almost every day, to the sounds of hovering helicopters, zipping of fighter jets and the rumbling of armour. The Islooites frown, but it falls on deaf ears and their mercy petition never sees the light of the day.
If that were not enough, your frustration mounted further, when you had to make half a dozen detours from Jinnah Avenue, (inefficiently managed by the Military Police), to avoid the rehearsals of the fauji march pasts.
Peace fairs galore
Just as the last decade bore witness to the growth of the women rights movement, this decade it is time of the ‘human rights’ activists to flex their muscles. Take for example the peace activists (thanks to Saddam Hussain and George Bush) with everyone joining the bandwagon. No need for you to be a UN Goodwill Ambassador or an Oscar nominee. All you anyone needs is a no-war sentiment, and you are part of the parade.
At a time when the US-led invasion of Iraq had begun and newspapers were full with cancellation announcements for various city events, peace advocates of all age groups assembled in the Capital to participate in the Amn Mela. Themed, Joining Hands for Peace, it was a day of different activities as artists, craftsmen, students and representatives from different NGOs expressed their opposition to war through different mediums of performing and fine arts.
Artist Abbas Shah, assisted by his students, painted a huge vertical peace mural that depicted the dove of peace being crucified by the United States and Britain.
Artist Fauzia Minallah conducted an art workshop with some 50 children. The older ones made a collage with newspaper cutting, reporting the attack on Iraq, pasting the headlines and banners inscribed with slogans like ‘Ashamed to be (an) American’, and ‘Religion Teaches Peace Not Killing’.
The younger ones (aged between five and twelve years) made their own posters. One made by a seven-year-old boy read, ‘Cruel Bush keep you cruel bombs to your cruel self’. Pakistanis as well as diplomats and their families were seen deeply engrossed in putting their thoughts to paper, with the hope that their hard work will make a difference!
“I didn’t have to tell them what was going on. I told them to make posters on peace and they just started drawing,” commented Fauzia.
Then there were theatre presentations by Students of Islamabad College of Arts and Sciences followed by a special session dedicated to recitation of poetry. A talk by an expert on Reiki and a yoga session were also part of the multifarious activities arranged to draw attention towards the need for peace.
Ironically, besides peace activities, there were stalls put up by organizations and individuals exhibiting and selling a variety of arty stuff, their publications plus food and drinks.
Spring is in the air...
The weather this time around has been playing hide and seek. Just when you thought summer is round the corner and land time to put away your woollies, the cold wave strikes back. Thanks to the rains which herald the arrival of a long hot summer, but this time it was just a going away rain before winter said au revoir.
But come to think of it, seasons and parliament both have one thing in common, their stay in Islamabad is very short. The moment you think its there for too long, its gone. The only difference is that in Islamabad the wind blows from Murree whereas the parliament comes from Rawalpindi.
Although autumn is my favourite, spring is considered to be the best time of the year for people to visit the capital. The grass is greener and the ivy on homes is taking leaves. The colour combination of green belts around the city is simply breath taking.
The fruit trees blossom and you can find the white and pink blossoms of apple, apricot and plums on roadside against the backdrop of the Margalla Hills.
Even the green patches outside homes are blooming with small colourful flowers and the air is soaked with the smell of sweet pies. Some do it for a hobby, but for others it’s to enter into the annual horticulture competitions that take place in spring in Islamabad.
