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Pakistan: Against all odds - A new left?

7 February 2011

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(The Friday Times, February 4-10, 2011)

by Naveen Naqvi

Members of Karachi’s civil society believe that parties, which have been historically progressive, can be nudged into action, even if for nothing but their own survival

Reference for Salmaan Taseer held at the PMA House, Karachi

Interestingly, in Karachi’s civil society at least, women appear to be taking the lead … It could also be that Karachi’s women see this as a much-needed opportunity to reclaim public space

It is discouraging to know that the Karachi procession of January 8 which boasted 40,000 according to some had the covert assistance of the intelligence agencies. Indeed, it has been heard that the Islamist leaders, including those of the banned organisation, Jamaat ud Dawa (JuD), were escorted by agency men

As this New Year began for Pakistan, it appears to have spelled the end. The last month saw some serious pronouncements – the death of liberalism being one. The assassination of Salmaan Taseer, a politician known for speaking his mind, made a symbol of courage in death, left the world and the pacifists of this country horrified and dispirited. But once that initial shock subsided, the gasp became a sigh from which has arisen a hum of whispers growing louder everyday, hoping to become a shout, a chant as the civil societies of Pakistan’s urban centres reawaken.

In a demoralised nation such as ours where the fabric of the state has a new tear everyday, for bomb blasts are a daily occurrence, it seems inconceivable that ordinary citizens can manage something. Yet, this was the same civil society that was instrumental in the Lawyer’s Movement that overthrew a military ruler of almost ten years, General Pervez Musharraf. When television networks broadcast the same lawyers showering rose petals on Taseer’s assassin, it was easy to forget those long marches of just a couple years ago, and be immersed in skepticism and self-doubt.

However, not everyone is despondent. The person who sparked off the fresh debate on the controversial blasphemy law, a woman who has emerged as an icon, a prisoner in her home due to her convictions remains optimistic. In an interview to the Christian Science Monitor, Sherry Rehman has said that “she sees the current political crisis in Pakistan as the birth pangs of a new left – from peasant movements in the countryside to a resurgent urban civil society – with the power to reclaim political space from religious extremists.â€

It is from her that Karachi’s civil society groups gain strength. And they are hopeful; or rather they are in the search for hope.

The most public manifestation of this was at the Reference for Salmaan Taseer, organised by the Citizens for Democracy (CFD), an umbrella group of non-government organisations, trade unionists, journalists and citizens. Here was an unusual scene that I witnessed. It was held in a large hall of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) House, a venue that was decided only at the last minute after being rejected by the Karachi Arts Council, citing threats from clerics, and the Karachi Press Club (KPC). Till moments before the scheduled time, there was no electricity, but having braved death threats and knowing the extent of the other’s power, the darkness did not stop people from seating themselves.

The crowd too was unusual. There were all kinds of people here – men, women, young, old, rich and poor. A young woman in a burqa sat in the same row as another in jeans and T-shirt. Peering at the stage from behind a man in a shalwar qameez and topi, was a grey-haired woman in a cotton sari. For two hours, this eclectic mix sat in silence as speakers took the podium for three minutes each. The only rumblings heard were in response to Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) Information Secretary, Fauzia Wahab when she refused to state a clear party line.

But members of Karachi’s civil society believe that parties which have been historically progressive can be nudged into action, even if for nothing but their own survival. “Though the situation is grim, the tide of extremism, hate-mongering and violence can be stemmed,†claims Karamat Ali of PILER. “I say this because in my view a very large majority of ordinary people especially in the rural areas are opposed to this brand of religion. Also, the political parties that practice non-religious politics command a decisive majority of popular vote. The PPP, the Awami National Party (ANP), the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the smaller nationalist parties from Sindh and Balochistan together have the potential of winning two-third seats in the parliament. In their own enlightened interest, I expect them to join the struggle being launched by the civil society.â€

Another concrete step was that a complaint was registered in Karachi against the cleric of a Saudi-funded mosque for inciting hatred against Sherry Rehman and those who talk of amending the ‘blasphemy laws.’ When taken on, Qari Munir Shakir denied his comments, leading to the MQM’s Altaf Hussain’s directive to his workers for monitoring Karachi’s mosques for incitements to violence. The Lahore civil society is contemplating similar action.

Critics believe there cannot be a real movement without marching in the streets. That may be so, but historically, while the Islamists have never had electoral power apart from when General Musharraf placed them in parliament, they do have street power. It is discouraging to know that the Karachi procession of January 8 which boasted 40,000 according to some, had the covert assistance of the intelligence agencies. Indeed, it has been heard that the Islamist leaders, including those of the banned organisation, Jamaat ud Dawa (JuD), were escorted by agency men. There could not be a more formidable opponent than that.

In the private sphere, meetings are underway, their locations changing to ensure security. Whether it is in the conference room of a cafe, or the modest office of a nonprofit organisation in the heart of Saddar, the agenda is the same – an end to violence.

In these heated debates where young and old, men and women attempt to chalk out a strategy, one thing is becoming clear, the young (especially women) of Pakistan are ready to step up.

Journalist for Newsline magazine, Farieha Aziz says, “I think the youth has already swung into action. Take a look at the protests on blogs and discussions on social media - a lot of that is coming from the ‘younger’ members of society.†Though the situation is not comparable, skeptics of the ‘Facebook revolution’ are now checking themselves after seeing the use of social media networks in the recent popular revolts of Tunisia and Egypt. Of course, Pakistanis used the digital media most effectively in the movement that ousted Musharraf.

Interestingly, in Karachi’s civil society at least, women appear to be taking the lead. Given that we are witnessing what appears to be Pakistan’s rapid descent into fundamentalist Islam, women are possibly the most vulnerable, the easiest targets, and to stem the spiral, they are calling for action. It could also be that Karachi’s women see this as a much-needed opportunity to reclaim public space.

Sheema Kirmani, who has devoted her life to the cause of Pakistani women through Tehreek-e-Niswan, said to me, “I think that the women of Pakistan have had more than enough of repression. I think we, the women of Pakistan are ready to lead the revolution in Pakistan and we will.â€

As Sherry Rehman predicts, “It is going to be a long haul but I don’t think it’s impossible. It just looks that way sometimes.â€

The writer is a former morning TV show host based in Karachi