Pakistan's lack of state writ - Vandal who?

As the nation recovers from Tehreek-e-Labbaik-Pakistan’s (TLP) latest protests, the costs of politicking in the name of religion are becoming clear. The Punjab government has prepared a report which outlines the private and public damages incurred due to the violent three day protests by TLP. The report estimates the cost of damages as Rs.260 million due to vandalism, destruction and rioting. This is in addition to the Rs143 million damages from the Faizabad sit-in of 2017. While the federal government gave into the demands of these extremists, it overlooked how hundreds of citizens across the country were directly harmed by vigilante mobs. The report captures the harrowing reality of Pakistan during those three days.

Another interesting revelation from the entire episode is the stark contrast between the depictions of the event on varying mediums for different groups. While mainstream media blacked out the protest entirely, and liberal critics were in an uproar regarding the violence, intimidation and lack of state writ — a completely different narrative was presented by the TLP. Blocked from mainstream media, digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp facilitated news within conservative circles. What is illuminating is that these videos and messages show TLP workers cleaning up streets, distributing food, emphasising on the importance of a ‘peaceful protest’. Then there were those, present in the major sit-ins who had no access to any information due to jammed cellular networks.

Regardless of the conflicting narratives, the real issue here is the dwindling writ of the state. With questions pertaining to damage of public and private property and endless efforts to appease the Mullahs, the state is only repeating the unfortunate trends of the past.

While the government continues to issue and retract arrest warrants in the name of “public interest”, concerned Pakistanis hope that the judiciary will intervene. CJP Saqib Nisar has requested a full report regarding damages to ensure that affected citizens are duly compensated. Moreover, the suo motto case for the Faizabadsit-in, taking into account the role of TLP will be heard on November 16. It is time that the elected government and the permanent institutions of the state realised the gravity of this situation for the long term stability of the country.