The second statement came out of Karachi from Dr Arif Alvi — the elected representative for Karachi’s NA-250 — in the form of a campaign on social media, encouraging residents of Karachi to demolish the wall surrounding Bilawal House in these words: “Join the movement at Bilawal Chowrangi on 29th Dec 1pm — come with flags, banners, shovels & spray paint — let's take this illegal wall down — help spread the word!”. In a matter of hours, the campaign appeared to gather a lot of online support.
Here is why both statements are immature and shortsighted. Bilawal, aiming to enter mainstream politics with rumours of him contesting the NA-204 by-election, must be humble enough to realise that he stands to benefit from the glory and achievement of two Bhutto generations before him. If today Bilawal is allowed to take centre stage in Garhi Khuda Baksh, it is because of the struggle and mass following of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. Bilawal, on his own, is yet to prove his merit.
On the contrary, PTI is Imran Khan’s brain child and much of what it is today has a lot to do with its chief’s struggle and perseverance. It cannot be ignored that in this year’s election Khan rose to give every major political party a run for its money. And if Bilawal is indeed serious about politics he stands to learn a lot from PTI and its achievements rather than dismissing outright that party’s credentials.
Now coming to PTI, Dr Alvi’s campaign against the wall surrounding Bilawal House is devoid of political maturity as it doesn’t seem that it’s being done in the name of justice but more so as a hasty and emotional response to Bilawal’s banter. Secondly, given that PTI has had a dismal performance in the Clifton Area of Karachi (UC-38), this could also be construed as a political maneuver to mobilise popular support before the local body elections scheduled for Jan 18, 2014.
It cannot be denied that on Sept 4, 2013, the Sindh High Court on a case relating to blockades installed near Bilawal House and in other parts of Karachi directed the authorities to ensure that freedom of movement of citizens as guaranteed under the law be ensured. Also, it is true that the wall surrounding Bilawal House still stands appearing no less than a slap in the face of the common citizen as it displays disgraceful violation of laws by the rich and mighty. When I contested the election in May, I too had included the removal of illegal blockades around Bilawal House and other establishments as part of my manifesto. The people in the Bilawal House neighbourhood have only suffered from the wall as it occupies a service lane, a three lane main road and poses regular traffic disruptions.
However, it is not befitting to elected representatives like Dr Alvi to encourage people to pour into the streets, take the law in their own hands and bring down walls under the garb of justice when in fact they may very well be motivated by political animosity. It is even more unbecoming when Dr Alvi is aware of the illegal construction of a dental hospital, a commercial establishment in the residential area of Block 4, Clifton, only a few kilometres away from the Bilawal House wall.
According to the Clifton Block 4 Residents Association, the hospital is a project undertaken by a member of his immediate family. The residents of Block 4 have complained to Dr Alvi regarding the illegal construction on more than one occasion and the same have been ignored. The structure is almost complete and its design and architecture is testament to it being constructed for commercial use in violation of the by-laws of the residential area.
Both Bilawal House and the under-construction dental hospital fall under NA-250. The MPA from that area, PS-112, is also a member of the PTI which makes me curious as to whether that party’s representatives in the country’s legislatures differentiate between illegal construction by members of opposing parties and that done by its own. If they don’t and if they indeed strive for justice as the name of the party suggests, then they should first put their own house in order.
In view of this, I would expect Dr Alvi to call off the campaign that asks civilians to illegally demolish the wall especially when the same can cause clashes. However, if they have the right intentions and they must stress on a protest then I would like to advise them to gather people outside Bilawal House. In fact, gather them in thousands but without taking the law into their own hands and member of the protest may even sign affidavits which would be attached to a plea to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the authorities that did not carry out the Sept 4 directives of the SHC.
A political party that speaks of tabdeeli (change) is expected to make its supporters more aware of their rights and obligations rather than encourage them towards anarchy and menace. At least, that is the tabdeeli I expect from the ‘educated’ brand of politicians.