Islamabad Sealed as Long March Reaches the Capital

The impending Long March by the political opposition in Pakistan has cornered the government into sealing Islamabad from the rest of the country. All roads leading to the capital are now closed for normal traffic and huge containers (as seen in the accompanying photos taken this morning) and road blocks have been erected all across the city. Extra police force has also been deployed at all strategic points within the city to counter any political show of strength by the opposition.

The Long March is part of an ongoing effort by the people of Pakistan to restore the independence of judiciary in the country. This effort which started with a humble protest in Rawalpindi (twin city with Islamabad) for missing people in December 2006 is now a national movement supported by people from all walks of life. In 2007, this massive agitation in favor of independent judiciary saw General Musharraf lose control and subsequently his party lost in the general elections (February 2008).

Last year, the general elections were won by the Pakistan Peoples Party, who under Asif Ali ZardariAsif Ali Zardari formed a coalition government in the center. Throughout their political campaign, their leaders had reiterated the independence of judiciary and that they will restore the justices according to the constitution of Pakistan. However, almost a year after they took power, they have yet to live up to their promises. With the result, the people of Pakistan, the lawyers movement led by Aitzaz AhsanAitzaz Ahsan along with numerous political parties including Nawaz SharifNawaz Sharif Pakistan Muslim League, Imran KhanImran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and Jamat-e-Islami have chosen to take to the streets. This movement has now turned into a Long March starting from Karachi and will culminate on March 16, 2009 in Islamabad in front of the supreme court. The goal of the movement is not to give up till the judiciary is restored and made independent.

President Zardari's current political stance against the judiciary has alienated him from not only the people of Pakistan but also from members within his party. Numerous PPP loyalists have chosen to step down from the party positions including the Information Minister Mrs Shereen Rehman in protest.

It is ironic that Zardari is now following on the same tactics as adopted by General Musharraf not long ago to curtail the protests against him. His crackdown on media (banning and censoring Television Channels), sealing off of the city from protesters and locking up opposition members in droves has made him into a civilian dictator. What he fails to realize is that the people's power brought him to power against a former dictator. His actions will further aggravate the general public who will continue their agitation till he is deposed. In essence, President Zardari could cause a premature end to PPP led central government similar to the deposition of General Musharraf last year.

The people of Pakistan, as the accompanying video depicts, are now more active politically than they were a few years back. For the past two years, the struggle for democracy and independent judiciary has not only gained ground but has spread all across the country. The leaders have no choice but to heed to the people's voices and concern. The Pakistan of today is a lot different from Pakistan of a decade ago. The people have decided to take matters into their own hands away from the dictators, corrupt and inept politicians. A democratic and stable Pakistan is in the interest of all, and if the people's power is allowed to grow, we shall soon see that dream come true.