Call to discourage trend of protests

LAHORE: The government should evolve a strategy to discourage closing of roads in the name of protests and sit-ins by involving all stakeholders so that routine life and businesses activities could be revived and Pakistan’s image could be improved. An effective role of administration, judiciary and media is needed to get the objective.

These views were expressed by the experts at Jang Economic Session on “How to discourage protest politics for the revival of business activities.” The panellists were Sohail Lashari, Tamkeen Aftab, Farooq Tariq, Abdul Razaq Baber, Ameen Mazhar Butt and Azeem Ahmed Bari while the session was hosted by Sikindar Lodhi.

Sohail Lashari said public issues could be resolved through public-private dialogue, which will not bring public on roads and affect discipline. He said trend of protests and blocking roads has grown in this government. He said civilised nations took action on peaceful protests while in Pakistan attention on issues could not be got without protests.

Tamkeen Aftab said the rulers introduced the trend of protest on roads while ban on protests should equally be implemented. She said if people are given their basic rights, they will not come on roads. Unfortunately, in Pakistan rulers do not take action unless people hold protests and sit-ins. She said protest is the beauty of democracy if opposition does not derail democratic setup.

Farooq Tariq said protest is the right of every citizen and it should not be banned rather it should be regulated. He said business community should give priority to national interests instead of funding specific political parties. He said a ban on protests on the Mall on the order of High Court was possible only when the ruling party will obey the court’s order.

Abdul Razaq said non-implementation of court order for a ban on protests on the Mall is incompetency of the administration. He questioned why administration allowed placing of chairs and containers on Mall Road two days before. He said law should be equal for everyone and when the elected government will not follow the rules, it should not expect from the opposition and other political parties to follow the rules.

Ameen Mazhar Butt said protests and sit-ins have affected Mall Road, Hall Road and adjacent markets. He said traders can afford business loss for a day, but daily wagers cannot afford closing of business for even a single day. He said rules should be equally implemented on all political parties and punishment should be for every violator.

Azeem Ahmed Bari said protests were affecting civic life of cities and traders and daily wagers were affected by protests and terrorism. He said peaceful protests should be ensured besides provision of all facilities to the protesters there.