Sane elements in and outside Pakistan heaved a big sigh of relief, as Dr Tahirul Qadri ordered his followers to disperse. I visited the venue of the sit-in more than once, to satisfy my journalistic curiosity and, more importantly, to obtain a few answers. I came away with the chilling realisation that I was talking to a group of people, who had shed all vestiges of reason in order to obey the command that issued forth from the good Doctor’s container.
In spite of what others may think, Dr Qadri’s march was, in reality a high profile, perfectly orchestrated and successful attempt to launch his political career. His strategy, planned and executed with military precision, had a central thread running through it. This thread sought to mobilise his male and female followers, and employ them as a ‘deterrant’ against use of force by the government. An important aspect of Dr Sahib’s strategy consisted of getting a sizable crowd into the heart of Islamabad and thereafter to retain or even increase their numbers in a manner that its presence at a sensitive spot generated fear and apprehension. His next step was to deliver deadline after deadline in a manner that portended mayhem and possible bloodshed to maintain a consistent state of apprehension and keep media interest in the long march alive.
While the protest managed to bring the Awami Tehrik effectively on the political radar, it failed to achieve its other objectives in relation to electoral reforms, which were already under consideration by the government. What the event did generate was untold misery for its participants, especially the women and children, a number of which had to be evacuated to hospitals with exposure and respiratory ailments.
Television footage showed Dr Sahib languishing in the warm comfort of his bulletproof caravan, while countless men, women and children tried to sleep in freezing cold and incessant rain. When this fact was pointed to the Tehrik spokespersons by television anchors, they showed remarkable alacrity in sidestepping the issue. Long shots by television cameras showed real anguish on the faces of women, as they watched their children suffer in the bitter cold and rain. It was only when they saw television reporters and their crew approaching them at close quarters did they manage to gather themselves in a remarkable show of loyalty to their leader.
I cannot but help chide the people, who exposed their children to the murderous Islamabad weather in blind obedience to the protest call. I consider stock phrases like ‘we shall sacrifice our children for the cause’ as meaningless, when confronted with the sight of a three-year old gasping for breath and would label any consequent deaths as ‘homicide through neglect’ and hold the concerned parents as ones responsible.
There are some analysts, who think that all that was needed on the fourth day of the sit-in was a face-saving exit for the leader of the protest. If this notion is correct, then it brings out an abject lesson for those who practice or intend practicing politics in Pakistan. Politicking has now become a refined science ruled by pragmatism. It is within this ambit that heat needs to be raised in a controlled manner keeping a door open for a face-saving exit, when things do not go according to plans. Perhaps, Qadri Sahib disregarded this critical element in his frequent rushes of adrenalin.
Another good that emerged from the four day story was the satisfaction that the Pakistan Army stayed away from the crisis, proving many conspiracy theorists wrong. The army’s stance will go a long way in consolidating its already respectable image of doing only what the constitution envisages it to do.
While I have levelled criticism on Dr Tahirul Qadri and the manner in which he appears to have exploited his diehard followers into what could have become a catastrophe, we must acknowledge that the first two days of the sit-in saw people other than Dr Sahib’s followers join the protest. During one of my visits, I met many families (with no religious affiliations) from Islamabad and surrounding areas, who had come to express solidarity not with the leader of the Tehrik, but with the demands raised by him.
While one is happy to note that the government did well to adopt the peaceful track in dealing with the long march, the protest itself was and should act as an eye opener for those who have misgoverned the country for the past five years. It is galling to hear ministers and ruling party members of Parliament appear on television and in a shameless brazenfaced manner deny the ills spawned within their term of office. By doing so, these representatives are doing nothing short of calling the people liars.
The long march and the sit-in, also brought out the stark fact that there was an overwhelming desire for change amongst the people. It may, therefore, be well for the coalition partners and the opposition to realise that times are changing and their practiced rhetoric in election speeches may not work this term.

The writer is a freelance columnist.