ALTHOUGH our people have many problems, they have only one solution — to protest on the road, blocking all vehicular and human movement. When Pakistanis who live abroad protest they don’t disturb anyone, they just hold placards and stand at a corner while traffic flows unhindered. The demonstrators are thus able to draw the attention of the public, the government and the media without being disruptive.

But in Pakistan, people often protest in a violent manner such as blocking roads and throwing stones, which results in damage to vehicles and injuries to people. Sometimes protesters will even burn public property and attack anyone who crosses their path.

However, protestors are not entirely to be blamed for such rowdy demonstrations. In fact, such rowdiness is witnessed when authorities — government or private — do not care to resolve the people’s problems.

If the government were actually to pay attention to the people’s problems, such demonstrations would cease to be necessary for calling attention to their problems.

Adil Awan

Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2017