'However, some of these costs are avoidable'.

All of these costs were avoidable and some can be avoided in future. All Sharif has to do is to agree to joint opposition's TORs. It will also set a good precedent and strengthen our democracy.

As a side note, according to NAB, corruption costs Pakistan Rs 12 billion daily.

'The first thing to be fixed is the political system, more specifically the path to power and the means through which power is legitimised. The more we politicise that, the more we undermine the very tools with which any course correction can be undertaken'.

Thats exactly what Noon and other parties who have been in power, have done. And they show no signs of course correction. Most probably because they dont have incentive to do so.

Politicization of bureaucracy, police, and other state institutions help political parties remain in power.

Instead of writing on the cons of the protests which in any case will have little to no effect on the current ground realities least of all on the actual protesters, it'd be better if you could advise PM Nawaz to accept the joint-opposition's (not PTI's) TOR and present himself for accountability.

I strongly disagree that the cost of these protests outweighs the benefits. I honestly think just repeating election after 5 years does not benefit democracy and the people of Pakistan. All of us want a functional democracy in which accountability at all levels is observed. Also no one thinks that if these protests succeed, all dysfunctions will disappaer, but we do hope that it will start accountability at the highest level and trickle down which eventually strengthens the democracy and ultimately benefits the people of Pakistan.

The progress will be gradual, but I guarantee that if one PM is held accountable and faces a genuine inquiry, no pm or minister in future will be involved in any scandal.

What I still don't understand and no pmln supporter has been able to clarify (and none of the other responses here will even attempt to answer); is that if nawaz in innocent of any wrongdoing, why doesn't he agree to panama investigation?

Well said. The writeup is to the spot.

Nailed it DAWN. Thank you indeed.

So you are not really OK with either way. Your way is for no protest. And saying that despite knowing that those in power have gotten there with the nation's hard earned money is a vaguer way of saying you are a patwari leaguer. Have some decency and recognize the gravity of the rulers transgressions in the least.

Under PML-N, we can never expect a fair election.The entire setup require major shakeup. Honest leadership is needed to improve improve the performance of various institutions.They loot tax payer money while in power and than spend some of that money in winning election again. ECP watch all this as silent expectator. Government is violating all basic norms of democracy by blocking roads and arresting political party workers.This is called SHAM democracy and PTI protest is justified.

But who and how one is going to explain the economic and soft image loss to the great khan and his fanatic supporters? Supreme court has already taken up the panamagate case, lets trust the wisdom of the highest court of the land rather than the mercurial khan.

Just an outstanding commentary and advise. Thank you for enlightening the news paper for your readers.

What about the cost of corruption that has paralysed our economy for years?

MQM will be justified in asking the questions that why their protests and strikes in Karachi were so much blamed as other parties have done more harm to economy. Let us use the same criteria across the board. It will help to make people realize that all citizens have equal rights.

Cant Agree more!

Protests are democratic rights of the citizens.

What about the cost which Pakistan have paid till now due to corruption? Contracts are awarded on kick backs and ultimately people and the economy suffers . . . . Why our businessmen are unable to compete in international markets? Because they are paying high production costs caused by higher electricity rates etc . . . . and the root cause of all these issues is corruption and nepotism . . . .

What about the nation's money that is pocketed by the corrupt officials? Isn't this a huge loss to the economy? Shouldn't this be taken into consideration as well?

I don't agree with the content presented in the article. The author is ignoring the loss to our economy by the corrupt governments including the current one-the manifold increase in our foreign debt, our decline on many social indicators in the region and globally, lack of foreign investment etc. How does the national international investors can trust a country where a prime minister is under serious allegations of corruption, investing abroad instead of own country. The benefits of curbing the inflation would be great both in the short and long run and the only way to prosperity.

"These protests exact a cost from the economy that outweighs any benefits that the protest leadership promises."

Sir, how can you say that? If the total efforts of Imran Khan's campaign means a stamping out of corruption among the leaders, the mafia, the feudal lords in the long term, it will be a great step and will hugely be beneficial for the country.

It is common knowledge, since its inception, trillions of dollars of wealth have been siphoned out of the country thus leaving it a pauper and a hopeless state.

"Those participating in the protests may ask: what are the costs of not protesting? This is a fair question, because business as usual is also marred by its many dysfunctions, primarily poor governance, a bad security environment, and corruption."

I would put CORRUPTION ahead of poor governance and bad security. Corruption is the main cause of poor governance which in turn results in a bad security environment. If the cost of protest is high, the reward is even higher if it helps in ending corruption by the rulers (whoever they may be) because it has potential to result in good governance which in turn results in a good security environment and so on and so forth.

What IK and party achieved in the last sit in (DHARNA)

Every day that the corrupt have their way is costing the country billions and to top it all the rulers have become a threat to National Security! !

While protests are distasteful , bad governance is bitter . Both are harmful for the progress and development of a nation . The present situation is a result of lack of rationality and responsibility which has brought the country to this stage .

@Saif Please read a bit of history of the following countries; Singapore, China, South Korea etc. All had corrupt regimes but made tremendous economic progress. So your premise is not correct.

What IK and his party achieved in the last sit-in (DHARNA) of 126 days. How Pakistan benefited from this. Please file cases against ruling party's corruption in the courts. why they have to do sit in for every thing and bring economy and country to a halt. What is the progress of PTI in KPK, I dont see any paradigm shift in the daily lives of the people of KPK. Still people of KPK are going to other provinces to earn their living. It should have been the other way around, at least pathans in the other provinces should have been repatriated to KPK. But I don't see any mass economic migration towards KPK. Or I don't see any medical tourism in KPK probably because hospitals are still in the same bad condition. Or I don't see parents in other provinces migrating to KPK to seek better education for their children. So it is just a rhetoric, no real work. Does PTI have any thing to show in their report card in the upcoming 2018 election except pointing fingers on the others.

So Clear & DIRECT.

@F Khan ...and them wait for 10 years for the decision of "Honorable Court"

Foreign Debt that was taken in 60 years got doubled during last 8 years. Do you have anything to say about that?

Simple solution: PM should present himself for accountability. If cleared without charges then resume his duties. PML N can run their govt and avoid all these loses. Choose a sensible Replacement.

Great as much as it cost when people protested in Scotland.

@Haider It is not the duty of ordinary citizen to take the rulers to the court. A mortal like me will never have the resources, stamina or the time to do that. It is the duty of government to organize independent processes to that effect so that any body who dares to do any corruption think hard before doing that. PMLN, PPP will never do that so because they will be taken to task themselves. How can PM explain astronomical increase in his wealth in the last 2 years with out doing anything himself?

This is an excellent editorial for people on both sides of the divide. Unfortunately, this is what happens when an 'anari khilari' enters the slips. With all the good intentions and the charisma that appeals to the simple minded peop[le of Pakistan, Imran Khan may do more harm than good. Fixing the system needs burning the midnight oil and lots of wisdom. Dharnas and lockdowns are not the panacea.

This article is really a question mark on the people who are going to organized this protest we all must analyzed the impact of this protest either this protest effect the party of prime minister or affect the economy of Pakistan

Cost can be in minus If PM and his family brings money laundered back to Pakistan.

Nobody ever talked about the financial losses when MQM was closing Karachi within minutes and for years.

@NEUTRAL: So what happened to mqm? you want that happen to pti as well? @NADEEM MIAN: Every case in the court takes years that's what Ik should be doing in the parliament makes sure people get justice fast and cheap instead of taking the country back 2o years economically. If ones goes with your logic people should not go to court and decide on their own what is right or wrong because the courts are taking time.

What is the cost of not protesting against corruption???

How tactfully the editor blames the cost of protest on PTI, while the protest has not even started yet. All the costs the country incurred since Oct 27, are a result of govt's illegal, ill-advised and out-of-frustration actions. PTI or the protesters cannot be held responsible for that. The editor needs to read all the comments here, in addition to the one liner "great article" "couldn't agree more". There is no point in saying that its a highly biased article, the reasons for which are known to everyone in Pakistan now.

One democratic right can not be used against the other democratic right The peaceful protest is indeed a democratic right but due to this right the roads being closed in wake of the terroism threat due this blocade of roads there are not only chances but it will certainly happen that the ambulences will stuck and patients will die on the roads
The candidates will not reach to their interviews , the forms of jobs and comepetitive exams such as css or educational forms will not reach theri destination and this will inflict to the common public in the form of loss of a year long hard work and deprive them of job due to absence in the interview.

@Gramscian agree with what u say,also if state machinery is not working we r saving millions every day which go down the drain because of corrupt practices of gvt.

@Taimur simple reply:PTI has no history of baldia town,bhatta khori ,target killing kinda pratices(its according to their own members).

@DrTK so very conveniently u forgot 6/7 months wait of PTI.they did go through all channels too.

Imran Khan and his supporters has no patriotism, they are making all this Drama for their means...

I...N...S...A...N...E people all of them ... If i would be authority, all of them in a dark jails until they start saying sense

The US founding fathers fought civil wars and sacrificed with their blood to gain independence and freedom. The pilgrims came to America to escape persecution and oppression. What 'price will anyone pay for justice, I believe is a wrong question. People protesting in the streets are exercising their fundamental democratic rights.

The more pertinent question should be, 'what price are you willing to pay to keep these corrupt leaders in power, who neither respect the law nor your rights to seek accountability for wealth looted from the tax payers'.

Is the blood cheaper than money!?

All the debatable and known costs are being incurred, and the people are being forced to pay, is because of NS and his family's refusal to submit to an investigation. It could have been resolved months ago, if they had nothing to fear or hide. Clearly, these desperate, unconstitutional measures to suppress public discontent is an indication that the corrupt leadership is desperately trying to avoid exposure to their wrong-doing and implications that must follow.

This is individual fight between Imran Khan and Nawaz Sheriff. Imran should have used constitutional institutions to settle his scores instead of conducting roadside dramas and ruining the economy of the country.

Imran is causing ir-repairable damage to Pakistani economy and democracy.

Let's not forget, the Arab Spring started with the self-immolation of a fruit vendor in Tunisia, who was fed up with lack of opportunities and government corruption. And the government went packing within a month.

No revolution is without a sacrifice. No freedom is gained without a price.

Ok, all people should sit in their houses and let the government loot the country.

Just look at what is happening in Morocco right now, today. People all over the country are out on the streets, seeking justice from the government, against corruption and oppression over an incident that only happened two days ago.

I expect Moroccan government will accede to public demands, before the inept government of Pakistan.

In the memorable words of Benjamin Franklin, one of the most innovative thinker, inventor and respected Statesmen:

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither."

If the people of Pakistan do not act against the endemic corruption now, then they should not complain about it in the future.

Imran khan will ruin pakistan economy...

what is the cost of democracy....

True. When will IK's blind followers understand this?

@Moona As long as there are blind followers of PML-N.

@IMRAN: Totally agree.

I agree with most of the comments the cost of letting corrouption go unchecked over the long term is far greater for the country. short term pain will ultimatley lead to long term gain otherwise corrouption will continue to eat away at any progress the econcomy makes

Th cost of not protesting is a perpetual status quo untill the masses are starving to the point that they will do anything to get their next meal. Or we there already. .?

Corruption costs more and will continue to cost more and more for generations to come.

The Pm has to come clean on the Panama papers and the protest will be over.

The cost of corruption is the highest of all. IK has been doing a remarkable job by keeping this issue alive otherwise the media and people will forget it in no time just as we have forgotten the alleged corruption stories of PPP leaders which were once talk of the town. This is a defining moment, this issue should never be left o fizzle out. The allegations of corruption should be thoroughly investigated and the issue of Panamagate should be brought to its logical conclusion or the termite of corruption will eat out of whatever is left in the economy.

Who will repay the money that politicians has looted from Pakistan? I think a little financial losses to rid ourselves of a political mafia that is poised to loot us even more are a small price to pay...

It can never be larger than the benefits not only in terms of dollars and cents but also immeasurable gains in every walk of life b/c it is striving to enforce accountability, transparency, responsibility thereby streamlining the system of governance. This is possible only by largely plugging the menace of systemic corruption. Settle it now that it is live, again. This time make it last time and resolve the issue once for all.

IMRAN is not gonna pay, we will get the money back from offsore accounts :)

@ZAMIR Nawaz offshore accounts that is

There's no denying to the fact that it will damage the economy to some extent, but to say that the damage outweights the benefits is totally wrong. All of this could have been or can be avoided if the the CURREPT PM had some dignity and present himself for accountability ..

Other then that the resistance imposed by the government is rather harmful then the peaceful sit in. The resistance is what is damaging the image as well as the economy of our country...

@ZAMIR Indeed, from the account of Services Ltd and return of JKT's written off loans.

@SM - there is no better option than removing the politicians through elections. Every other measure will lead to disaster and anarchy and will give us strong systems. Do you want to limp like we have been for 18 years?

@Love Your Country - correction: will not give us strong systems

Lets sacrifice the long run for short term stability. The long terms costs to Pakistan's economy from unchecked corruption and accountability are far higher than the costs of short terms disruptions.

Corruption by PMLN and PPP have caused more damage to Pakistan.

It is shame PTI is justifying the loss of these endless protests.

@Love Your Country - system can be saved by Nawaz Sharif agreeing to step down. In parliamentary democracy prime minister can step down and party can nominate one of their other members of parliament to head the cabinet as prime minister

@Naveed No need to be blind. Open your eyes. No civilized person behaves the way IK does.

PTI will never be voted in power by legitimate means by popular vote. They know this and therefore are trying everything in their power to hijack democracy by means before 2018 elections.

Good editorial, however you should also mention cost of corruption. Perhaps Imran Khan Dharna is one time cost but how about the cost of corruption in every department? Police, land department, Justice System, list goes on.
If current ruler cannot eliminate corruption in their 30 years tenure than I doubt they will ever be able to do it. Also that they have huge properties for which they have not answered satisfactory yet which points out that these rulers are themselves involve in this practice. Can we let them robe this country? As a expat living in another country, I don't mind dharna if it’s one or two time things. And If it helps to fix the system than why not? But the only thing which is preventing us to coming back is the corruption in every department and law and order things. Law and order is bad in every department including Punjab? Can you disagree that there is a lot of corruption in Police system?

Interesting point,

No matter what you do if the fundamentals are not there, than no one will come to this country to invest. Therefore it's better to fix it NOW. Finally, yes everybody knows that ballot is the only way but accountability is the cornerstone of democracy. If Nawaz Sharif cannot answer how he made billions of dolor than we don't see why he should not step down. It will not derail democracy. I am pretty sure they are other competent people in PMLN who can run country as a PM for another one year. So therefore please don't mix the things and see ever thing in perspective.

They are great people out for some cause. Please understand that they are out to expose the corruption.

What about the costs of not acting? That value can be measured by the amount of corruption and incompetence which is rampant in this government.

None of the Pakistan's political party is on my favorite list but what Imran Khan is doing is nothing but disaster for the country.

You are forgetting that Nawaz Govt corruption has already caused the biggest harm to our country, and that corruption is continuing at the rate of 12bn per day!

Are rangers only for the people of Karach?

and who is going to pay all losses of curroption during last 75 years? and do you have any suggestion for how to run thr country by people and not business men?

Strongly Disagree. How about comparing it with the "corruption" happening on a daily basis costing billions of rupees to Pakistan? Atleast one person is fighting for your future generations when he had all the options to enjoy the perks of ruling elite.

how you can claim that the confidence will not be restored. In Pak mearket most of the investor look for shorter gain rather long time holding. Once the real democracy and the justice is ensured the investment will booms by hundred fold. Economy has always fragile to such kind of democracies.

Strongly believe that the short term cost is well worth the potential long term gains. Secondly, you may disagree with the strategy but it's undoubtedly principled approach to root out corruption.

It is not so difficult to understand this kind of protest always cost unimaginable lost to economy. Any with common sense and patriotic never approve this kind of protest . I saw this kind of protest for last fifty years in Pakistan they make no difference other than taking Pakistan thousand steps backwards. Pity

so people should not say or protest and let NS and co loot Pakistan. Is that not costing economy billions.

The very reason that politicians continue with corruption is because they believe people will not go to extreme measure to protest or ask for accountability, hence they get away with it.

But if you dont protest, the looting of politicians is much much higer, someone has to stop this corruption

completely agree with the editorial, these protests at the behest of the powers that be are detrimental to Pakistan's long term interests. It is a useless waste of energy, money and time.

party politics are more important to them than national interests yet again. It shows the weak character of our politicians, Imran included, even though I support him.

So, the export containers used actually are filled with export items? Can't they use empty containers? This is hopeless. What if I was the exporter whose container is placed on the streets to be smashed by protesters?

Ok so what? By your logic no one should go to University because you have to pay money and could work instead and make money as a taxi driver. No one care about losing 1-2-3-4-5-6 million on the short term. PML and PPP have looted PK close to billions in the last 20 years AND will continue to look more millions if they are not forcibly stopped. They feel it is their god given right to rule and loot at will. PK has regressed to the point where they were on the top of Asia to where they are now, the absolute bottom, last. Whose fault is that IK and PTIs? Only PPP and PML have been in power. While PK has dropped to last, NS and AZ bank accounts are at all time high. Find the logic. :)

If Panama leaks is proof of corruption then IK should set a precedent by firing Jehangir Tareen and Aleem Khan.

In short term there may be lot of damages, but if Imran becomes successful, then benefit will be alot, But only if what he is saying today, do corrective action in future

Imran Khan does NOT care at all what his DHARNA costs the nation monetarily, morally or democratically. he only wants to be the Prime Minister and every thing else does not matter.

PTI.. Please stop all this. We are already in a fragile state. We do not need all this.

@Gramscian why not simply vote out Nawaz when election come. He should lose all elections if he is corrupt. Just see in India we thought congress is too corrupt so we voted them out and slowly they voted out of all states also. Mind it military might also see this as opportunity to arrest power from Politicians.

Every dept in pakistan copies india. This is another one imran copying arvind kejriwal of india.

This is an excellent argument. What is the cost of disruption and protest to the economy and can the nation afford it. Maybe, elected Governments should be allowed a -disruption free period of 75% of its mandate, whatever the cause. By all accounts, Sharif Govt has slowly started to build confidence in the IMF and world a t large. They are entitled to stop Imran's disruption plans

What about the realized and potential costs of corruption? incurred and accumulated every single day after day after day after day? Why not factor that in?

Well, changes don't with pennies. It costs every country millions to get something good in return. A good example of this was the recently failed coup in Turkey. And look at the result now.

Cost of corruption involving those in Panamagate is greatest. Corruption has not only costed us with weakened faith in justice, weakened economy, weakened democracy, weakened fight against terror, most important it has weakened our moral values. Lying, cheating and stealing has become acceptable. Poor gets poorer and the rich gets richer as no one bothers! Everyone knows their is no use fighting injustices because injustice sadly but bitterly is justice in Pakistan. Don't take the word "corruption" lightly as it has ability to make nations, value-systems and justice-systems hollow! I don't blame those who think IK is doing this for power. Yes this is what has happened previously in our corrupt system where one powerful corrupt throws another in name of welfare. But IK, is the man who coul've had it all LEGALLY in UK and would've still had more power, fame, luxuries and money than any corrupt person could ever dream but he sacrificed it all to break the corrupt cycle plaguing Pakistan.

@salman I don't agree. If the reward is good, they will all do it. You would do it. Life in politics is short, but the time to enjoy it after is plenty.

@SM It doesn't need to trickle down. It can be started by yourself right this minute. As you demand more from yourself as well as others, you will see a different outcome.

Imran Khan gave ample time to ruling elite to come clean so the economy or democracy could not be derailed. Unfortunately, personal interests seem to be above the national interest for Sharif families. It's about time that some precedents are set for the future generations of Pakistan.

Beautifully summed up! If only anyone in the PTI can hear it over the sound of their trumped up egos!

Peaceful protests are one of the most essential part of any democracy. I love in Canada and here there are protests everyday. Few months back, cab drivers protested against Uber. Yes, there are costs but it is an integral part of democracy and should be encouraged.

Small price to pay to stand up to corruption. Can you aggregate what the sharifs and bhuttos and corruption has cost our economy.

Ironically and sadly this "mob behavior" is repeated in Pakistan at several levels. Any group as small as 100 people can wreak havoc anywhere and anytime in Pakistan and most of the time get away with it. We have seen this all over from big cities to the smallest towns - by thugs and by big political parties. There is no respect for Pakistan, Pakistanis, and for a "civil" way of life that Pakistanis deserve every day. The Press is more of an accomplice - we have our own local "FOX" and "CNN" channels! God help this beautiful land of ours! Ameen!

All nawaz shariff has to do is accept opposition TORs..why is keeping the whole country hostage.. why cant he just accept it.

It is sad to see that once again in Pakistan undemocratic ways are being used to remove a government. Same thing has been happening since Ayub Khan's government. Every such move takes the country one step backward. No one is suffering more than the general public while this Tom and Jerry show continues on and on. Very sad and deplorable.

There will be no cost if the current Govt. is capable of governing. PTI has not shut down anything but the Govt. has done it for them for sure.

Pakistan has been paying a much bigger cost in the shape of corrupt rulers. These protests pale in comparison.

Keep it up IK. Squeeze these thugs to the extent where they start fleeing the country.

Nailed it, well said, spot on, but IK will not listen..........

Why Imran doesn't accept government TORs, why he want to save his corrupt supporters.

Very well written.

IK will never succeed . Never to become PM. However he has succeeded in election reforms. that is his and the govt's credit.

that is all.

You Nailed it. But PTI will be harping on the same tune.

@Gramscian Excellent point ... no pain no gain

Government has effectively done everything ahead of time that PTI said it will do on Nov. 2. Despite this premature lockdown, stock market is showing a positive trend.

It seems your analysis is superficial and does not reflect economic reality of Pakistan.