The ‘Azadi March’ seems be have fizzled out and rendered to a mere symbolic protest as matters have been resolved between the government and opposition’s committee.
As per the latest developments, the JUI-F led protest will march towards Islamabad but will not enter the high security Red Zone nor stage a sit-in at the famous D-Chowk. The protest will instead be held at the Peshawar Mor interchange on the outskirts of the city.
The government relied on past verdicts of the Islamabad High Court and offered to allow the protest at the Parade Ground. The opposition has also backed out from its two major demands – the resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan and fresh elections.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman is still confident about the march’s success. It is evident that he is using the march to revive his fledgling political career battered by the PTI.
A recent meeting with the army chief probably has dampened the JUI-F chief’s ambitions to oust his arch nemeses. General Bajwa has expressed support for Imran Khan and stated that he would not allow political instability or any undemocratic means.
Just before the ‘Azadi March’ was set to commence, the JUI-F received another shocking news. Former senator Hafiz Hamdullah’s Pakistani citizenship had been revoked and he was declared ‘an alien’ in the country. Hamdullah’s CNIC card was also blocked and all state benefits will be cancelled. There were allegations that he was originally from the town of Spin Baldak just across the border into Afghanistan.
Hamdullah has been a controversial person and was regularly seen on political talk shows. He was elected an MPA in 2002 and served as health minister in Balochistan for three years till 2005. He served a six year term as Senator till 2018. His misogynistic comments against a social activist in 2016 were vile and received widespread criticism.
Now Hamdullah has also been banned from appearances on any TV talk shows. However, the revocation of his citizenship just days before the anti-government protest will raise questions. If Hamdullah was indeed an Afghan national, then further questions will be raised on how he remained undetected for several decades, even becoming a member of parliament.
The government would be foolish to give the impression that it is using all possible tactics to pressurise the opposition against holding the march and using state power to suppress dissent.
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