JAMAAT-e-Islami (JI) has once again demonstrated that it was a law-abiding party and doesn’t believe in challenging the writ of the state. This became evident from what transpired on Friday when its workers from across the country tried to make their way to the Red Zone in Islamabad to hold a rally against an issue that has become number one concern for people of Pakistan, changed its plan and held the public meeting at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi. Addressing the protestors at I-8 , JI Emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said they wanted no clash with the police and were shifting to Rawalpindi as per their plan-B.
We have been emphasizing time and again in these columns that it is the democratic and constitutional right of all citizens and entities to air their grievances but the protest must remain within the bounds of law and the Constitution. JI is a highly organized party and has a committed work force that could go to any extent on the directions of the leadership but, unlike some other parties, it is not misusing its clout and instead adopts peaceful means to lodge protests. It is also satisfying that despite perceived provocation, the workers of the party did not resort to violence and remained peaceful throughout and ultimately headed back to Rawalpindi for a public meeting. Remarks of the JI Emir also reaffirmed peaceful intentions of the party as he declared “Hafiz said, “We are not fond of staging sit-ins, but we won’t move from here till the government accepts all our demands. We are not here for any personal interests, rather our struggle is meant to get relief for our 250 million compatriots, who are looking towards us”. Location of the Federal Capital makes it vulnerable to become hostage to protests and demonstrations that virtually paralyzed movement in and out of Islamabad besides creating enormous difficulties for people living in neighbouring Rawalpindi and surrounding areas. It is not a prudent approach to disturb normal functioning of the Government every now and then on different pretexts. It was in this backdrop that the successive governments decided not to allow sit-ins in the Red Zone housing governmental machinery, parliament house, apex judiciary and foreign missions and even courts designated special places for protests and rallies. Therefore, the political parties must not insist on entering the Red Zone and hold rallies at designated places if they really care for the welfare of the people. The JI has support of the entire nation as far as the issue being protested (price-hike) is concerned but there is absolutely no support for activities that could fall within the definition of challenging the writ of the State.
