ISLAMABAD: While listening to rival party leaders speak in the National Assembly this week, fears that the protest rally called by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) for tomorrow in the square in front of the Parliament House might degenerate into violence appeared dissipating - only until the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N’s Saad Rafique rose to speak.
His sarcastic, and unexplained, remark that there was “a different story” behind the protest infuriated PTI members who claim the rally is being held to protest the rigging in the general election the same day a year ago, that robbed the party of many seats.
Before they could retaliate, however, the Speaker adjourned the house.
That leaves the question open what this May 11 holds for national politics in the charged atmosphere of a media house in tussle with the military establishment, with the political government trying to act neutral and Imran Khan supporting the military.
It cannot be an echo though of the five-day sit-in Allama Tahirul Qadri’s Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) held in the same square, in January 2013, demanding constitutional changes before holding the general election, hailed later as the first time civilian transfer of power in the history of Pakistan. Followers of the Canada-based PAT chief also will be out rallying on May 11 but this time in the neighbouring garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Although the primary aim of the PTI is to protest the painfully slow action by the election tribunals on the more than 60 complaints of rigging its candidates had filed against their rival candidates, political analysts feel people’s anger over power shortage and rising inflation and unemployment will add fuel to their fire. Some of them even see a major clash between the PTI and PML-N emerging from the rally.
But the cautious within the PTI worry, what if party activists do not turn up in strength on May 11?
“In the run up to the 2013 general elections party workers were hoping for a change and responded enthusiastically to Imran Khan’s calls.
It is different situation now. Many don’t think it is an opportune time for protest demonstrations and some are not happy with the performance of the party’s government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” said a PTI leader requesting anonymity.
Then there is the fear that street demonstrations in the prevailing atmosphere might bring harm to the present political dispensation.
Party president Javed Hashmi has said that he would stand by the side of PM Nawaz Sharif if democracy is in danger.
Meanwhile, the government is keeping a close tab on the PTI’s protest plan.
Internews
