Islamabad, Pakistan – Weeks of protests, roadblock, and heightened tension with police have raged through Pakistan’s capital city, Islamabad. Official acts from all four of the provinces have begun arriving in the capital in search of a platform to voice their objections to federal policies.
The current unrest is being caused by government-proposed
Amendments to the Constitution, many of which people regard as a breach of a long-standing agreement between political leaders. The stampede to voting on the amendment has raised concern over judicial independence and even speculated that the courts could become an extension of the government. Opponents of it argue that in such a scenario, even judges appointed by the government would lack impartiality and also fail to be an objective check on the powers of the government.
However, financial and economic problems
Are currently strangling the government, but to be more particular, the just approved bailout package was previously voiced as an International Monetary Fund plan. Still, the financial floodgate has opened, and threats of economic catastrophes sooner or later make this existing stability collapse. People are increasingly distrustful toward the government due to this obvious mismatch between official public relations and manifestations in the spheres of inflation and popular unrest among the masses.
It gets even complicated at the diplomatic
Scene with disturbing moves from the regional leaders, such as the call for revolution from the Chief Minister at a time when federal officials are busy celebrating recent achievements on the United Nations scene. Some critics argue that peaceful protest is a fundamental right that must be preserved by the government, especially when it is facing heavy strain in the economy.
Pressure needs to be mounting on the government to soften their approach and begin listening to dissidents and engaging in fruitful dialogue. Among the numerous cases, those of Dr. Mahrang Baloch who was not allowed to attend an event of most significant importance though included in the list by Time magazine of most influential people in the world go a long way in defining repression of voices crying for change.
Political analysts urge a paradigm shift toward strategic engagement with the deprived and demands that such govt. serious issues such as enforced disappearances and recognize dissent an integral part of democracy be addressed first.
As Islamabad struggles with these issues, never has there been greater urgency for reconciliation or a national sense of shared purpose to deal with the problems plaguing the nation. It is an obstructed political environment and leaders must work together for the betterment of Pakistan.