Pakistan - Violence in Faisalabad

 

Imran Khan’s proclamation that his protest would enter a new, decisive phase has proved to be as ominous as it sounded. Faisalabad, the scene of the first of many planned PTI shutdowns, had already been on edge as PTI and PML-N supporters faced up to each other in the days leading to the strike. It was not entirely unexpected when tragedy struck as a PTI protester was killed in clashes between the two sides. The blame for the death should of course lie with those who pulled the trigger; already 300 people have been named in the FIR of the murder. Without absolving any party of any blame for the murder, we also need to consider how matters came to a head in such a way. Both sides were in a violent mood and PTI supporters attacked MNA Marvi Memon as well as following its usual routine of attacking a Geo News van. The PTI has been flirting with violence throughout its protest and at Faisalabad it was both victim and culprit. Those who were killed deserve justice but so do all those who have suffered at the hands of the protesters..

The most tragic part about the Faisalabad protest is how unnecessary it was. Even Imran Khan’s unconvincing testimony before the Lahore election tribunal – where he said he had no evidence of rigging but was confident it would be found if the voting bags were opened – was not enough to stop the tribunal from ordering the ballots in the NA-122 and PP-147 constituencies to be verified. The verification process, relying as it does on the inherently suspect science of fingerprint identification, will always be controversial but for now Imran has been handed a victory and may even get fresh elections there. This was the time for Imran to declare a partial victory, agree to the government’s offer of talks and call off the protest. Instead he has said that his MNAs will not return to parliament even if an investigation proves the elections were fair. He has also snubbed the offer of talks to the point where Nawaz Sharif said he would no longer negotiate as long as the protests continued. Imran Khan is now protesting just for the sake of the protest and not to achieve any realistic outcome. This does not bode well for the upcoming shutdowns in Lahore and Karachi. The violence in Faisalabad should have been a wake-up call for Imran but is likely only to be a preview of further instability.