AS JUI(F) is giving somewhat cold shouldered response to the Government’s offer of dialogue on the proposed Azadi March on October 31, the authorities have apparently initiated administrative measures to deal with the situation that may arise out of the protests. Apart from hiring of hundreds of containers to seal entry points of the Federal Capital as well as routes leading to Red Zone, arrests of active JUI(F) leaders and workers have begun and ban imposed on Ansar-ul- Islam on the plea that there was no room for armed groups.
There is universal consensus that peaceful protest is democratic right of every citizen and party but there should be no disruption of life or damage to public and private properties. So far JUI(F) has not done anything that could be construed as planning for violence and instead there are repeated assurances that protestors would remain peaceful. However, we have witnessed in the past that things change on the ground and events take dramatic turn with the passage of time when such protests are organized. Therefore, the Government was well within its mandate and powers to take measures to ensure continuation of normal life especially in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which are expected to bear the brunt of the protests. It is also a fact that some of the measures of the Government and local administration also create disturbances for citizens like choking of entry and exit points, diversion of entire traffic to one or two roads leading to traffic mess and the resultant sufferings of commuters and frequent resort to closure of mobile phone service, which is a must facility in this era of IT and telecommunication. In this backdrop, if the two sides are unable to talk on the possibility of foregoing the option of the March then dialogue should be held to keep the protest peaceful and respecting rights of other citizens. It is noteworthy that the Rahbar Committee of the opposition parties has not altogether rejected the possibility of talks as it has decided to enter into talks with the Government if the authorities do not take measures to disrupt the March. There is also need to avoid war of words as it vitiates the possibility and atmosphere for any meaningful dialogue.
