ISLAMABAD: It seems Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri have adopted same approach towards their shared goal of ‘revolution’.

Following in the PTI chief’s footsteps, Dr Qadri announced on Saturday his decision to leave the sit-in site at the Constitution Avenue and proceed to Faisalabad to address a public gathering there on Sunday.

Know more: Exit Islamabad: Qadri hints at taking 'Inqilab' across Pakistan

PTI supporters say that while the sit-in continued in the federal capital, Imran Khan addressed successful public gatherings in Karachi on September 21, Lahore on September 28, Mianwali on October 2 and in Multan on October 10. But for Dr Qadri, Faisalabad was the first city where he addressed a public gathering after coming to Islamabad to start the sit-in on August 15.

Though the PTI supporters visit D-Chowk every evening to listen to the speeches of their leader, the followers of the PAT chief have stayed at the sit-in site round-the-clock in the hopes of bringing about a ‘revolution’.

Participants recall the good, bad and ugly times from 60 days on Constitution Avenue

Dawn spoke to the supporters and followers of PAT to find out what they thought about the successes and failings of the sit-in, which has been continuing for nearly two months now.

Aneela Rizwan, 32, a supporter of PAT, said the main purpose of the sit-in was to create awareness among the people regarding their rights.

“I believe that it is the success of PAT to spread the message of a change through the ongoing sit-in. I know the number of PAT supporters decreased gradually due to the difficult circumstances at the sit-in venue, but it was the electronic media which conveyed the message of Dr Qadri to the people across the country,” she added.

“Do you think it was easy for anyone to get cases registered against the rulers during the ‘democratic system’. But it happened due to the struggle of the participants of the sit-in.”

Aneela said it was not an easy task to bring a revolution in two months, adding it needed a continuous struggle which would go on.

“I believe that a majority of the people in this country want a system in which everyone gets equal rights, justice and basic facilities of education and healthcare. The the present rulers have failed to deliver,” she said.

Zaheer Chohan, 54, a resident of Multan, however, disagreed with Aneela Rizwan regarding the success of the PAT sit-in.

“There were dozens of mistakes made by the supporters and the leadership of PAT which demoralised the participants of the sit-in,” he said.

“I believe that the participants should have remained peaceful and also there was no need for giving deadlines again and again to bring a revolution,” Chohan added.

He said it was the wrong decision by the PAT leadership to move towards the Prime Minister House when the participants were already in the Red Zone.

He said the image of PAT was damaged when the sit-in participants broke the fence of Parliament House and stormed into the PTV building.

“The clashes between the police and the supporters of PAT and the PTI also created security fear among the participants. It was unfortunate that some people lost their lives during the clashes with the police,” he added.

“Who will believe your promises if you live in a container compelling your supporters to reside in tattered tents,” he asked.

He said it was unfortunate that the leadership of PAT hired individuals, especially youth, on daily wages from different cities. This also spoiled the image of the party.

Hamza Malik, 34, a resident of Rawalpindi, said it was not easy for the supporters of PAT to reside on roads for almost two months.

“The participants fell ill due to the unhygienic conditions at the sit-in and also lost their jobs due to the prolonged absence from duties. The administrations of schools and colleges also expelled students who had come to the sit-in,” he said.

“Do you think it was an easy task to stay at the sit-in despite rains and the lack of food and other basic facilities,” Malik added. He said the number of PAT supporters decreased as the sit-in prolonged.

Latif Abbasi, 45, a resident of Islamabad, believed that the government policy to allow the participants of PAT and the PTI to continue the sit-ins was right.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2014