Long March towards Jail!!

“History repeats itself”; this line seems so true and relevant while considering the current political situation of Pakistan. It was 2007 when Musharraf imposed emergency and all the opposition stood against him. Although the policies and the actions that he took overall in 2007 were the major factors of his downfall. Today’s condition looks similar to me, (if not completely as there’s no emergency imposed) since section 144 is imposed in major cities and government is as determined to stop long march as the opposition and lawyers are to make it a success. No wonder if this long march would end up in jail rather than in the elite streets of Islamabad.

There are some interesting comments and remarks that came up by some of our political leaders in connection to long march. The man with black glasses and ‘clear voice’, Ch.Shujaat Hussain has recently said in the media that Mr. Iftikhar Chaudary, the deposed chief justice and showman of lawyers’ moment, should back down and sacrifice his position for political stability. I am sure no lawyers would be sitting at that time when he made that comment. Some other interesting comments given by our Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, against the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sahrif, and also against the imposition of section 144 and arrest made by police of some renowned political leaders. This stand of Gillani during all this confusion is being considered very crucial and turning point by the think tanks of Pakistan. Theres is no one from his own party who has said anything to support his comments so far, but on the contrary the rivals and the opposition (including Shahbaz Sharif and Mushahid Hussain respectively) are surprisingly considering him as a key player who can turn the table and can take major initiatives in these crises.

The million dollar question here is, will he be able to take some actions by going against his own party? Well he can to some extent, he can immediately finish governor rule in Punjab since the governor rule has been imposed on the suggestion of prime minister (although his gestures and comments in the media after the action totally negates the fact that he has been consulted before the imposition) and president cant do anything but to withdraw his action. He can also call parliament session and can made his point firmly to stop arresting political leaders and lift section 144. Is he really gonna do all this?

I think no, despite all his recent remarks in media recently, he I think is not capable of doing more than that. The only reason for this is the man sitting in the president house right now. Mr Asif Zardari will never allow anyone from his party to go against him, and he will take every action to mute every voice that will go against him, no matter if he has to take right or wrong steps to do that.

Long March as far as I think will not be a peaceful journey and will become another tragedy for lawyers, opposition and ultimately for the image of Pakistan. The jails are open and routes are now changed. Lawyers, despite their firm stand to make long march a success and clear way to restore the deposed chief justice, will unfortunately end up facing the black grills of jails where they will be welcomed with the slogan “Welcome to Zardocracy”.