Hafiz Naeem threatens the government of intense protests if this is practiced as "fascist tactics".
KARACHI: Hitting out at what he described as 'fascist tactics' of the government, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, leader of Jamaat-e-Islami's Karachi chapter said in a statement that was set to send ripples across Pakistan's political landscape. His comments come amid growing public anger and official pressure, over accusations of government abuse of power and infringement on basic freedoms.
Naeem was speaking at a press conference in Karachi where he attacked the government for its handling of protests and civil unrest.
He said the authorities have used "repressive tactics" against opposition voices and violated the democratic rights of citizens. The enshrined fundamental Rights in the constitution are being eroded away through fascist regimes tactics: Naeem
Naeem further warned that if the government did not change its policies, Jamaat-e-Islami and our supporters were capable of expanding protests. He added that the party would continue with its peaceful demonstrations, however they will step up their campaign if the government continued to adopt an authoritarian attitude. "Attempts to silence us by means of brute force is unacceptable," said Naeem, whose party will continue its struggle for justice and democratic attitudes.
It does so are calling Naeem uses the term fascist tactics, as well, which bares especially heavy connotation in light of the vast history fascism wrapping their grips around nations with power hinging on fear and totalitarianism. In this language, we see Naeem drawing our attention to the rather frightening similarities between a past of totalitarian regimes and what he perceives as strategies employed by the present government. He cited reports of protests met with excessive force, arbitrary detentions and severe curbs on free expression in recent incidents as proof that these tactics are being employed.
A feeling which have found support among the disgruntled many that irked by present governance. Public sentiment -already taut from economic woes, police brutality and other scourges- is getting more stirred up as civil rights come into play. Many view the increased outcry for protests as a valid reaction to demanding accountability and maintaining democratic values.But the government has held its ground. Officials have said their actions were necessary to keep the peace, especially in light of large protests that they say has been unruly and given rise to instances of violence.
They say the steps taken are legal and necessary to protect public safety.
Yet that rationale has done little to soothe an outcry by opposition parties and parts of the public in a country polarized along ethnic lines.
The political temperature in Pakistan is soaring due to a highly polarized environment, with Hafiz Naeem's warning adding more fire using his statement. It is feared that the increased eruption of rage from these protests indicates less stability, and more clashes between law enforcement in an updated campaign strategy.
How the political discourse will evolve, and how public attitudes could also change, depends to a large extent on what measures the government takes from here after receiving these warnings.In short, the warning of Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman to government expose increasing abyss in political arena from Pakistan. It was an accusation of ‘fascist tactics’ that is not only a critique for the way dissent has been handled by this government, but also one which provides those who are fighting to have democratic rights and freedoms defended.
As the government and the opposition prepare themselves for a bumpy few days, however, calls to step up protests point both to democratic principles as well as order.
