Maulana’s free to march

It may have come as surprise to opposition parties, particularly the JUI-F, that the government will not stop the ‘Azadi March’ in Islamabad. As the government mulled its strategy to deal with the protesters, Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to show no resistance that may strengthen the marchers instead.

PM Imran Khan stated the government believes in upholding democratic principles and would allow the march as long as it remains peaceful and within the confines of the law. The protesters will be allowed to carry on the march as long as the everyday life of citizens is not affected and their rights are not jeopardised. This tactical approach demonstrated by the government needs to be appreciated.

This is also a sigh of relief for Islamabad residents as the federal capital was gearing up for a lockdown to prevent the protesters from marching to the Red Zone. The Islamabad police was well-prepared, issuing riot gear, and placing containers to cordon off sensitive areas of the city. Local residents were gearing up for a long ordeal, and thus this is welcome news for them as well.

It is unclear how long the JUI-F is planning to hold a sit-in in Islamabad. JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman gave a cryptic statement that the march is neither a sit-in nor a lockdown. The party does not want to give its strategy to thwart the government’s plan against them. The JUI-F chief believes that over a million men will march across town leading to the fall of the government and fresh polls will be held.

JUI-F has repeatedly stated that the government is illegal and the prime minister must resign. Maulana Fazl has even claimed that state institutions should be non-partisan and not support any party. Nonetheless, Imran Khan remains adamant that he will neither cave into pressure from his political nemesis nor will resign at any cost.

Islamabad has not witnessed violent street protests since the 2017 Faizabad lockdown by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik led by firebrand cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi, protesting an amendment to an oath clause. On the other hand, the nation has witnessed a trend towards dharna politics as it grabs more attention even if they remain ineffective. This will certainly become the future of politics to counter government policies.

Now Maulana Fazlur Rehman is back in the limelight and parties in trouble over corruption allegations have reluctantly lined up behind him. The PML-N has shown full support while the PPP is sending thoughts and prayers. Needless to say, this dharna will raise political temperatures but will quickly subside without any real threat to the PTI in power.