A comparison of Tahir ul Qadri and Imran Khan’s rallies today is absolutely unavoidable as they are running too close right now .
PTI‘s anti-rigging rally does suspiciously seem to be an effort for re-consolidation of the party which has been lying low since a year. Rigging has always happened in elections here and it would be unrealistic to expect otherwise, plus what is the point in protesting after such a long time ?
Imran Khan is one year late in this matter which is absolutely unprecedented, he does possess a certain appeal for the youth but often takes decisions too slow . PTI is thought to be a revolutionary party struggling for change so it is important to stay involved and desist from appearing dormant . Recently ,he took a week to determine his stance on the GEO / ISI matter.
PTI has been somewhat compromised by its special link with the local Taliban , the TTP, which can definitely be termed disloyal to Pakistan’s interests. The party lost some of its steam by being perceived to be on the wrong side , this anti-rigging rally would pep up its supporters and possibly build up pressure on the PMLN government. Some limelight was stolen from Dr.Qadri ,s protests and this time he wasn’t allowed centre-stage attention by PTI .PAT conceded by leaving Islamabad for the PTI protest , shifting their venue to Rawalpindi next door. Imran Khan did highlight some of the very obvious corruption taking place but the main thrust was the election-rigging and the four seats PTI wants .He demanded a new Election Commission and that’s about it.
Dr.Tahir ul Qadri makes yearly efforts to wake up the powers that be most of his targets are for the rights of the downtrodden and he has emerged as a voice for the poor . The masses suffer most from the government’s shenanigans ,the resultant inflation , poor health and education facilities ,shortage of gas and electricity hits them most .
Dr . Qadri is generally perceived as having some sort of backing , usually it is felt that military intervention is more imminent as he highlights government failures and the predicament of the masses. This is his second attempt to shake the system. Last year, people held their breath when he asked followers to pledge not to leave the confines of the dharna (procession) until he permitted and the matter pending with the government resolved. It did seem then as if something might happen to make the government accept his demands. He called for the arrest of Pakistan’s “ex” prime minister and his accountability , that attempt later on ended in compromise with the government . This time round , his party protests proceed in 60 cities all over Pakistan protesting against a sham , rigged election. Dr. Qadri has called for reforms and changing a failed system.
He said that the present government has flouted the constitution and is not legitimate as a result , he said he was not derailing democracy as there is no democracy . 75% tax evaders were sitting in Parliament and democracy also entails accountability , not absence of any retribution. Every Pakistani wants an end to this corruption . At the very least Dr.Qadri does manage to give the government a wake up call from its indolence . He could have even greater political credibility if he stayed more in Pakistan , people here have no idea about the huge following he has even in England and Canada . At least he does not seem to be a hypocrite and one cannot help but agree with most of his statements . It is not sure if he has any political aspirations , it does seem more as if he just wants to be a reformer, no immediate road map to achieve this dream has been revealed as yet .
The difference between Imran’s protest and Dr.Qadri,s protest is that Imran accepts this government as democratic and is part of it yet feels he wants justice for the four candidates who did not win as a result of alleged rigging. Imran Khan wants revolution only while Dr.Qadri wants revolution with reforms .
Imran Khan has announced a battle against firoun (pharaoh) himself , would he succeed in bringing about a revolution ? He is part of the same system that he criticizes as one province is administrated by his party and not much different from the way the rest of the country is run. He can always improve KPK and probably win more seats in the next elections . Would this rally bring about a revolution that triggers a permanent end to the powers of the rulers?
One could say that Imran Khan and Dr.Qadri have different means to a similar end,what matters is the practicality and sincerity of their aims . Imran has to get out of the system to beat the system , PTI has to learn from its mistakes if it wants change . Every elected government cannot please everybody but what matters immensely is that the government give relief to the public and highlight flaws of the system.
Corruption and bribery is not acceptable no matter how big the mandate. Democracy seems to have no redress for the masses as the corrupt system is dragging it down , it is argued that the system would evolve gradually but corruption makes the prospect seem quite bleak .
By: Sabena Siddiqi
Note: Al-Rasub is not responsible for writer personal opinion
Tags: article, Pakistan, The Tale of Two Rallies
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Your article donot reflect true analysis Sabena, Dr Qadri’s PAT protested in 60 Cities of the Country, Not only in Lahore or Rawalpindi, that sums up to a huge gathering!
Cant compare PTI’s D Chowk gathering which was less in number!