Dharna as a medium of social change

(shanzeh iqbal, lahore)

In Khyber Pakhtun Khwa since more than a decade there had been a great turbulence. Talibans had given a blow to socio economic progress in this province especially. All the inhabitants had suffered either directly or indirectly due to this hullabaloo. The government had taken a firm decision to launch an operation to root out the threat of terrorism but the agitations of Imran Khan and Dr Tahir ul Qadri left no stone unturned to undo these efforts as the attention of authorities remained focused on providing security to protestors.

The political leaders in the parliament however vowed to strengthen the democratic process. The clear message is given to the revolutionaries that now on the behest of any single person no coup would take place. It shows the supremacy of parliament which is a good sign.

The actual thing is the support which must be rendered to democratic system. PPP also supported this cause to safeguard the parliament. It reveals that the political parties of Pakistan have learnt the lesson that any confrontation among their quarters would lead to the devastation of the democracy.

The PM displayed a great role in tackling with this issue by resorting to political maturity. In his recent visit to China, PM has signed 21 new agreements relating to energy sector. This visit would be very helpful to finish energy crisis in Pakistan. It would be a good precursor to overcome the crisis created by protests.

Moreover during his visit to UK he inaugurated Pakistan-UK Energy and Investment Conference which would aim at mitigating energy shortage in Pakistan. Hence social and economic growth in Pakistan has shown progress as a result of these visits.

One very interesting debate ensues upon as a result of these dharnas which is their importance as a medium of social change. It is said that these protests contain a symbolic significance and their impacts are very visible on the whole society. They have sent feelers to both the ruler and the ruled. They indicate a crisis on economic, political and governance level. They indicate that the politicians failed to come to some consensus on their own. This is a time for political class to think that the protests are not against the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government. They are against the judicial system, inflation, load shedding and many other institutions. It is a frustration cry against the failures of 68 years.

The problem with the Pakistani nation is that it lives in a fleeting mode. Years ago I read that the need of hero is always felt in a chaotic society. And why we need heroes even after so many years of independence is self evident. The system is in dire need of change. The protests serve as the wake up call for all the institutions as well. Also a great responsibility lies on the revolutionary leaders like Imran Khan and Dr Tahir ul Qadri that if they think they have helped the people wake up from a deep slumber then they must lead them to the correct path. Simply waking up is not enough. The impetus they have triggered on account of their charisma and eloquence must be converted into the positive force with due astuteness and a optimistic strategy. In this way it is a great test of their insight as well. The focal point is and must be the welfare of Pakistan.

There are lessons for the sitting government to learn. They symbolized some sort of tussle between the government and the protestors. The rulers have to see where they wavered and which gabs are to bridge in. What were the flaws that situation took to such extreme that the charged crowd had to lodge huge protests and come on roads. They are thus a persuasive source of bringing a sort of change in the contours of governance. The courage of the people who participated in the sit ins have to be accepted that they challenged the system and brought to the forefront their grievances.

The charges leveled against the government about the kitchen cabinet’s decision making that seeped in policy formulation of the economic and other concerns should also be a matter of concern for them so that in future no such situation occurs. Prime Minister has to see how to improve the system against which the people are raising their voice. Whether it is through amendment in laws or starting some reform process, but he has to think as a seasoned politician to deal with this state of affairs and I firmly believe that he has throughout behaved very assiduously.

The huge focus was levied on advocacy of social justice, about the tax collection system, delayed development projects. It was the demand of an educated and aware Pakistani who would be no more oppressed and has barefacedly refused to serve as serf as in the early times.

A new political culture is developed now indicating that the educated people of Pakistan are now limiting their demands not only to basic amenities like food, clothing and housing, they are also inquisitive about the equitable distribution of resources.

On one hand people show distrust to heavy mandates and on the other hand we see that the huge crowds also fail to achieve its objectives. It shows a chaotic society where nothing is clear. Everything is in a terrible mess and uncertainty. So much confusion prevails. Yet the same situation may be the portent cause of ushering a new era of revival. When the people start realizing about the problem and a malady, they are sure to locate the remedy as well.

One other factor is also noteworthy. Now simply on the basis of gathering a huge crowd would be no more successful in obliging the agenda of a particular person.

On the other hand the character defamation in the rallies of protest leaders is lampooned heavily by media and intelligentsia of the society. Protest is the democratic right but one has to see that there must be a limit to the limit of freedom of protest. One can have objections over policies but the character assassination is not a sign of a civilized society in any way.

The media must perform a non partisan role. It should try to bring to the masses the actual facts rather than becoming the mouthpiece of a particular party. One politician has expressed the views that he thinks media as the biggest establishment in Pakistan. It played a role in discrediting PPP, reinstatement of Chief Justice and in the recent coverage of dharna, it is contributing greatly in shaping up public opinion. Its positive, constructive role coupled with social service can help in subsiding the wave of unrest in the country.

shanzeh iqbal
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