In a democratic dispensation political parties are an indispensable part of the system wherein they vie for winning the franchise of people to rule the country. It is done by presenting their plans and strategies in the form of their manifestos designed to promote socio-economic development and well-being of the people. The party or the coalition of parties which manages to secure more seats or votes forms the government while others assume the role of an opposition. The party or parties running the affairs of the country and the opposition are said to be two sides of the same coin. Opposition of today can become the ruling party in the next elections and the ruling party may take its place on the opposition benches.
Nevertheless both the government and opposition in spite of having different approach and vision in tackling the confronting challenges are supposed to be unanimous on their commitment to building a strong edifice of the state and making lives easy for the people. This is only possible when there is a culture of accommodating dissent and giving space to each other and even in case of bitter political environment the narratives of each other are countered or replied with matching and convincing narratives in a peaceful manner.
In a democratic polity expression of dissent and protest is taken as a fundamental right of the individuals and political parties. But that has to be done in conformity with internationally recognized democratic norms and practices without any element of violence or heaping insults at the opponents or insulting the public figures or government functionaries about whom it is felt that they have not treated them fairly. The best forum for such agitation and protests is the parliament or the media.
We have seen bitter political rivalry between PML (N) and PPP in the nineties and even during fifties but none of those parties resorted to violence against its opponents, heckled, insulted or attacked leaders of each other.
But it is regrettable to note that ever since the advent of PTI on the political landscape of the country a culture of violence has crept into politics, more so since ouster of Imran Khan from power through a constitutional process. He was the one who standing on the container during sit-in used to hurl threats at the police officers and even hanging them with his own hands.
After his exit from power his tone and tenor became even more venomous and he openly spoke of making an example of those who defected from his party, even suggesting social repercussions for their families. He also started denigrating state institutions particularly ECP and the Chief Election Commissioner by using abusive and derogatory language against his person. The outgoing CJ Qazi Faez Isa was also targeted continuously and even accused of playing a role in alleged rigging of elections. The social media warriors of his party taking cue from him have been relentlessly cultivating a culture in which the harassment of opponents is not only condoned but is emphatically justified.
The ugly scenes outside the residence of Nawaz Sharif in London, heckling of visiting Pakistani dignitaries including a judge who awarded punishment to Imran Khan have been a common sight. This kind of bullying and harassment of opponents and government functionaries is absolutely unacceptable and unjustified no matter what the grievances are.
What transpired outside London’s Middle Temple when the former CJ went to participate in its annual event after having been elevated as ‘ Callee” is the most shameful and sleezy act by the PTI leaders and supporters. Reportedly the protestors were led by Zulfi Bokhari a former minister in PTI cabinet and former MNA Malika Bokhari who attacked the vehicle of the former CJ.
It should have been a matter of pride and rejoicing for every Pakistani that a former CJ had been elevated as ‘Callee’ at the Prestigious Middle Temple, an honor which is conferred on eminent jurists, judges and political figures. Middle Temple is the Bar of Wales and England established in 1608 and its membership comprises students, barristers and senior members of the Bar and Judiciary.
The core purposes of this prestigious forum are: the education and training of students and barristers and the promotion of diversity and access to the Bar by the provision of financial support to student ; The maintenance of the inn’s estate and its historic heritage and the provision of professional accommodation for barristers and services and facilities in support to the inn’s core purposes; The achievement of the highest standards of advocacy in support of the judiciary and the rule of law; The promotion of the ethos of the Bar and the maintenance of the highest professional standards in the public interest.
The incident at Middle Temple surely was not for any democratic cause. The permeating streak to intimidate, insult and denigrate former judges, political opponents or perceived detractor of a party as a matter of routine deserves to be condemned in the harshest possible words. This trend among the Pakistani diaspora in European countries is indeed very disturbing.
Resorting to violence against political opponents and perceived detractors of the party instead of through counter-arguments and narratives makes no sense. Honestly speaking it is hooliganism and not politics with the potential to destroy peace and political stability in the country. It negates PTI’s credentials as a political party and strongly rubbishes its claims of promoting and strengthening democracy and rule of law in the country. Imagine what would happen if those being insulted, harassed and attacked decide to pay back in the same coin? Would it not lead to anarchy and ugly incidents fraught with prospects of incessant chain reactions?
What is worrying is that none of the PTI leaders has condemned these incidents which provide a ranting testimony to the fact that these are not random happenings but are pre-planned moves with the blessings of the party leadership. PTI therefore needs serious rethinking regarding its antics if it wants to remain relevant to the political landscape of the country. The Callees include Isa, Professor Adrian Briggs, Isabel Hitching KC and Nikki Singla KC. They will be called to the bench before dinner and asked to take their place at the high table. Isa will give a short speech to the benchers and members, the Middle Temple confirmed.
