IN Pakistan, crossing certain ‘red lines’ carries an inherent risk. But it is truly alarming when such actions invite harsh reprisals even during an ostensibly democratic government. On Monday in Multan, a district administration team razed commercial buildings and a marriage hall owned by the son-in-law of Javed Hashmi, veteran politician and perennial maverick. The family alleged that besides these constructions, two poultry farms, the wall of an educational institute and a residence belonging to them were also demolished. According to the authorities, the demolition was part of a drive against illegal construction in the area. The official handout pointed out that the approval of the design of the marriage halls was not obtained from the tehsil council. It added: “The action against all illegal constructions is being taken without any discrimination and political affiliation.”

Circumstances surrounding this operation, however, strongly suggest an underlying political motive. A few days before the district administration swung into action, Mr Hashmi in a social media post had excoriated political meddling by the establishment and reminded them of constitutional limits on their power. Given that PML-N is at the moment taking a ‘softer’ approach towards the civil-military imbalance, none of his party colleagues seconded his views. The senior PML-N leader is not known for political correctness, and has even spent a few years behind bars during Gen Musharraf’s regime for bringing to light matters that the powers that be preferred should remain hidden. He has rubbed military and civilian leaders alike the wrong way by his bluntness. Monday’s actions however, constitute a new low in the ongoing vendetta against opposition figures. According to reports, the family was given no advance notice of the operation, which took place on the first working day after Eid holidays, and was thus unable to approach the courts for a stay. Moreover, the buildings were razed on a technicality that, if applied without discrimination, would lead to a vast number of constructions being torn down in many urban centres in this country.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2021