View from Washington: D-Chowk is no Tahrir Square, at least not yet
Dr Qadri’s march has not yet caught the attention of the American public. -Photo by AP
In Washington, Tahirul Qadri’s D-chowk is not seen as comparable to Cairo’s Tahrir Square. It is not yet seen as an event that could bring about a major political change in Pakistan, as the Tahrir Square did in Egypt.
The uprising in Cairo had the entire American nation in its grips. For weeks, it was front page news in all major newspapers in the United States and also dominated all big television channels.
The popularity of the demand for a change forced the Obama administration to use its influence to persuade former Egyptian president Hosni Mobarak to step down. The US administration also had a role in preventing the powerful Egyptian military from using force against the protesters.
Also for weeks, the developments in Cairo remained a key subject in daily news briefings at the White House, State Department and Pentagon.
Compared to this, Dr Qadri’s march has not yet caught the attention of the American public. Some newspapers did report the event but carried only news agency copies on their inside pages. The electronic media also showed little interest.
Spokespersons at the White House, the State Department and the Pentagon offered no comments and even journalists did not raise the issue at regular news briefings.
There was no emergency meeting of the president’s security cabinet, as was held during the Egyptian uprising, and there’s no indication that Washington plans to send an official to Islamabad to learn more about the Qadri march.
The general feeling at Washington’s think tanks, and in diplomatic circles, is that President Asif Ali Zardari will survive this crisis as well, as he did other similar crises in the recent past.
Experts on Pakistan affairs at Washington’s think tanks say that even if Mr Zardari is forced to step down, there will be no military takeover. Instead, the military will prefer to bring an interim government of technocrats and back it from behind the scene.
Washington will react angrily if there’s a military takeover and may impose strict economic sanctions, which the Pakistani military would want to avoid at all cost. They realise that any sanction at this stage will have disastrous consequences for the Pakistani economy.
But the US reaction to a civilian change will likely be mild, particularly now when the present government has almost completed its tenure.
Diplomatic observers in Washington say that the Obama administration will make no effort to push or protect Mr Zardari. Like most Pakistanis, the Americans also see Mr Zardari as a corrupt and unpopular leader and will not like to be identified with him. But they will also not like to be seen as working against an elected government.
While the US administration is treading cautiously, Pakistanis living in America are not. The long march dominates all conversations at community gatherings, with some welcoming it as a move that may end a corrupt government while others opposing it as a development that will increase the influence of religion in politics.
“Another cleric, seeking a piece of the political pie, this is definitely not a welcome development,” said Mohsen Bashir Awan of Falls Church, Virginia, when asked to comment. “People need food, clothes, homes, jobs and electricity, not another fake change.”
“Even an MPA needs 60,000 voters to get elected and Mr Qadri wants to topple the government with 50,000 people,” said Agha Raza Ali of Brookfields, Virginia. “Pakistan has established political parties, they will not allow a new entrant to steamroll them.”
Zahid Ali of Germantown, Maryland, believes “this will pass. Nobody, least of all the army, wants to topple Mr Zardari so close to the election. This will be a big political concession to him.”
But Abdur Rauf, also of Brookfields, Virginia, said “those who have come from across Punjab for this dharna, will not leave like this. This is the end of the Zardari government.”
Shahid Husain of Washington suggested that Dr Qadri was brought because “Imran Khan failed to play his role. Mr Zardari and Nawaz Sharif played him well. So a dark horse was brought in.”
Some commentators suggested that the protest will lead to the formation of a supra-judicial body to supervise the government and the Chief Justice will head this body after retirement.
Others suggested that now was the time for Bilawal Zardari to become active and challenge Dr Qadri, although they also acknowledged that he was too young to do so.
Najma Siddiqi, another Pakistani living in Washington, said she learned from “a senior person in Pakistan about 12 months ago that things will get better. The process will not be disrupted, but ‘we will get good people’.”
Save democracy in Pak don’t support the military.
D-Chowk is no Tahrir Square, at least not yet and it would never be. Egyptians are one nation and Pakistanis are divided and disarrayed. No leader is charismatic enough to lead the nation.
Pakistan needs a change in status quo. We need freedom from corruption, and this can only happen if corruption is elimiated from the top. This cannot happen in the presence of the existing government, that had failed to deliver.
Dr. Tahir-ul Qadari’s demands are just and fair. Still Amry should referain from getting involved and only act in supporting role, if needed.
That will be the the best course for PK. I hope the present PK govt understand this delicate situation and act fairly.
Knowing Qadri’s background is important:
1. Tahir-ul-Qadri is better known for his role in the creation of the infamous “Anti-Blasphemy Law” of Pakistan, that has brought untold misery to religious minorities.
2. In the 1980s, Qadri backed the military junta of the Islamist General Zia who had overthrown former prime minister Z.A. Bhutto.
3. Many observers believe the real powers behind Qadri are his former mates in the Pakistan Army and their allies in the judiciary, who are using him as a front man in order to cling to power, while Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ordered the arrest of the prime minister.
4. Pakistanis should be worried about the potential destabilization of a country with 200 nuclear-tipped missiles ping-ponged between “whiskey Generals” and “jihadi journals”.
Kuch bhi bolo bhai qadri ki topi bahut mast hai.Acchi topi pehnayee pakistan ke public ko.
Compare Qadri’s Topi with Karzai’s Topi! Both are fake. But still fool the crowd. One is fooling the Pakistani crowd, while the other is fooling almost the whole world.
This is complete failure of govt of PPP to protect their life and properties. They cannot provide even the basic needs of life. They are senseless ministers and queta is an example no minister have time to visit those victim families and console them. They can capture killer from dubai for big people but for common people there is no justice and protection. Their main aim of life to enjoy and pass luxury life at the cost of poor pakistani. They have looted pakistan and deposit money in swiss banks.
When Rulers start snatching the basic rights People on the name of democracy, and a man made Constitution of Pakistan is considered holier than Quran, ….. what else you can expect We had warnings from Allah in the form of Earth quakes, Floods and Dangy fever..
God never changed the state of a nation unless they thought of changing themselves.
Qadri says he does not want the arab type of revolution as he knows it will be detrimental to the stability of pakistan and which for his masters NATO is bad news.
Instead of creating furore, Mr Qadri should announce the launch of his own party and make public its manifesto. Elections are round the corner in any case, why is he trying to shake the earth with need for resignations and causing instablity ?
Mr. Qadri is a religious spokesman and he is out cashing his fame. He has problems with his own sect and now he found a way to position himself all the way to top among people, taking advantage of the situation and people of Pakistan.
A decade ago he was just another molvi collecting charities and after going to Canada as investor with large house in a posh area of Lahore with 35 million rupees bullet proof Land Cruiser and much more. If he was to give his financial accountability he will fail surely.
Mr. Qadri is an opportunist as we have learned from past most Pakistanis work the same way and at the end, stranded to their wrong choices and before you know the cycle starts again.
How did he get permission to hold such a march in the first place, why is he in Pakistan in the first place someone needs to look at this man and what hes about more closely, the people who turned up at the march are fed up with all the killings of innocent people no gas no Elec no food no clean water no nothing then some charlaton turns up making the promise that he will sort it all out people are innocent they will follow whoever gives them hope even if its false hope they will only realize that afterwards,
how can he announce this march in Pakistan when he does not even live in Pakistan send him back to Canada where he came from.the mans a fake and he will exploit the innocent people who believe in what ever he is saying.
oh you wait, that is coming, he is waiting to get into parliment house first, not only that, you will see a delay in elections as well cause when he says “elections can only happen AFTER the reforms he wants”, and reforms cannot be put in place in one day. you can bet your bottom dollar not only elections will be delayed but we will fall into a frying pan…. out of fire.
He cannot contest elections. He is a dual-national.
Another one who wants to get himself in the middle of the mess that Pakistan is in,who is this man he needs to go back to Canada where he came from, he is only in Pakistan to cause problems to a country where there is no shortage of problems. what a mess. someone needs to stand upa nd take charge of this country because the Gov will not help Pakistan.
in the first place why is Qadri in Canada ???? if he is so much for Pakistan then he should be in Pakistan with his family, this is a question all Pakistani should ask Qadri
well said
This is not a crisis. This an opportunity to for the government to clean house from there dark forces. People are feed up with all the corruption that this Government brought with them in Government. People of Pakistan, just do not kill anyone in this protest rally.
corruption in Pakistan is at root level ? no matter which Government comes in power this problem will stay for ever …….
it’s just started, it will take some time for US newspaper to catchup. Don’t worry, News will be all over the world.
How did Dr. Qadri get permission to do what he is doing being a foreign national? He seems to be another religious fanatic and his demand for government to resign by 11 AM was very unrealistic. How do people follow such fools. Similarly Imran Khan will not be able to mobilize large crowds to topple the established parties. Imran has to realize lot of things and make plenty of changes to win hearts of everyone. Presently he is playing both sides and doesn’t seem to have his own agenda. Is he in favor of Pakistan being run under Sharia Laws? To me looks like that as he seem to be trying his best to woo such agenda by not talking against radicals even hen little innocent girls are attacked. Wake up Imran we are in 20th century and radical Islamist have no place to breed. Long marches and useless talks are way out. Stand up and be counted as a leader who will work for masses and remove illiteracy and poverty. Shame no leader has spoken how they will do this
Now what ?
I am exhausted by the constant political crisis in Pakistan. Why can’t the people learn from other nations that political stability and democracy are a must for progress. All over the world countries are investing in democracy, infrastructure and human resources and in Pakistan the military and mullah are busy with their dirty political games.
Democracy is surely being invested and now you have same gender marriages.
That is Islam, you can solve problem by converting en mass
I am with TQ.
dont give up…….fight for your rights, if you can bring a good government in, then all your neighnours will be with you.
Not all the neighbors, just the well wishing ones, first and fore most,
Though Dr. Qadari religious belives are not same as mine but we should be looking and favoring who could bring a change. Change can not be overnight since Paksitan has many problems but at-least start and what looks like a good start with no violence. Though he may be a Muillah or Cleric but he is talkaing about Pakistan and I favor whover put Pakistan and Pakistani peoplle first.
The whole thing is very confusing,
I don t think so that the coverage from american channels is the good measure to compare it with Time square. Maybe it is not the same as time square, but the american media also have other interests on which there coverage depend.
Don’t ask questions from those who cannot see sitting outside. I am in Houston. & I am telling you we need to remove all corrupt politicians from the country NO MATTER which political party they belong to period.
Why not like him come to Pakistan with a rally
Houston we are in trouble…….
This foriegn national (Tahir) is protecting the vested interest of Iftikhar Chaudry
Pakistan Army loves to dabble in politics and business. Defending the country is a lower priority and that’s why you see terrorists on a rampage across the land.
What a joke. An MPA needs 60000 votes to get elected and this champion of self style revolution wants to topple Government with 50000 confused people.
Hey Indian stay away from our politics. You guys just want us to be in caos and does not to progress.
It is not the event that gets the attention of American people or the media in the US. It is the relevence of the event to American politics and its interests. Less interest may be a good news for Pakistan – not bad. Pakistan needs time and space.