Sit-ins, protests, rallies are public nuisance

Islamabad

Paralysing public life in pursuit of one’s political undertakings and for the sake of one’s vested interests is new phenomenon in political history of the country as sit-in culture has become a pressure tactic to kneel down government for one’s demands giving a deaf ear to consequent public miseries.

The culture of sit-ins and massive rallies in metropolitan cities on part of the opposition parties has become a nuisance during last a couple of years as all such gatherings halt public movement and restrict them to their homes even in case of any emergency.

Security institutions as well as law enforcement agencies owing to this emerging culture have no option but to restrict the organisers and participants of these rallies to the specific areas by cordoning off the roads with containers and heavy contingents of police.

At a time, when the country is in a state of war against terrorism, massive rallies and sit-ins could become a security issue.

Contrary to political affiliations, PTI and PAT leadership in the country should be held responsible for introducing violence and chaotic trend in politics. The erstwhile politicians in history of the country before emergence of PTI usually demonstrate patience and tolerance in face of defeat in elections but now if one loses elections, he starts voicing rigging allegations by raising questions even on Election Commission and on misuse of state machinery in respective constituencies.

It has been observed that disturbance and turmoil on account of these sit-ins and protests only utilised for benefits and political maneuverings.

‘The News’ conducted a survey with participation of political leadership as well as public and officials of law enforcement agencies on booming culture of sit-ins and protests and aftermath of these power-shows of opposition parties.

“We have got fed up with this hectic exercise on part of a few politicians who use to rush towards the capital city in pursuit of their objectives, said Amin Jaan, a resident of Sector F-6/1, Islamabad adding that gathering public for the cause of people is good but all these mammoth shows on part of PTI and PAT stood witness to the fact that their leadership took least interest in public issues but kept on engaging people to build pressure on governments for their personal benefits and advantages. Instead of pursuing legal and constitutional discourse, they halted public life for the sake of public which is tantamount to joke with people if they understood real motives of these polarised politicians, said Salma Shaheen, an educationist in the federal capital.

Islamabad based, social activist talking to The News said staging protests was constitutional right but law and constitution did not allow anyone to deprive others of their rights and freedom.

Sit-ins and massive rallies have economic implications at respective levels; therefore frequent rallies and protest demonstrations cause irreparable losses on economies of under-developed countries like Pakistan, said key office bearer of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

A senior official of Islamabad Police requesting not to be named stated that frequent rallies, protests and sit-ins put heavy pressure on the security. He said frequent and routine protests and rallies left police with no option but to deploy additional contingents of police for security of protesters that put additional burden on police.