8pm: Islamabad's 'Pumpkin Hour'
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In the developed world, policy-making is a rigorous, educated and a well-thought out process. All aspects of the issue are taken into consideration, research conducted, surveys carried out, ground realities debated and finally, a decision taken to address the grievance in question.
In Pakistan, unfortunately, most decisions are taken only after a crisis has surmounted, to resolve the issues temporarily or assuage the masses by a diversion – irrespective of the harmful aftereffects.
The latest of such brainwaves – if one can call it that – is the newly decreed closing time of commercial centres by 8pm. It would have held some water if it had been applied uniformly to the industrial cities of Karachi, Faisalabad and on the zinda-dilan-i-Lahore, but surprisingly, it is only being implemented in the capital. After the clock strikes eight, the administration and police are out and about to implement the decision.
It is sad to see that in the late years, the Pakistan Administrative Service and Police Service of Pakistan seem to be doing little more than playing gimmicks to their political masters.
Read the editorial: Early closure of shops
Yes, the executive is there to execute, but perhaps a part of their job is to update and give some insight to the decisions for a smoother running of the district?
On the contrary, with postings at stake and the threat of inquiries that pop up at the slightest resistance (the dharna would ring a few bells), the 'elite service' now amounts to those chanting ‘yes sir hojayega’ and ‘hukam ki tameel hogi’. Anyone who dares to raise a query is summarily shoved aside.
I have nothing whatsoever against the closing of shops earlier or later. I just want some thought process to go into this.
A few factors need to be considered before coming up with an impromptu decision on a matter which has important repercussions for small businesses and traders who have no other source of income to fall back on.
The couple of malls that we have here are least bothered if they are closed by 8pm or not; for the people who shop there, reach the shops in their air-conditioned cars, shop in air-conditioned outlets only to return to their air-conditioned rooms. It is the small scale traders that seem to be suffering the most.
Mazhar, a waiter in a small eatery was relieved to know that the "police and magistrates that come and threaten us every day, haven't come today. We serve our guests out under the sun; no one comes to eat in the blistering heat of May at two in the afternoon. People come at night. If we can't be open at night, we can't do business, if we can't do business, the owners will only fire us."
Know more: Islamabad’s traders refuse to close shop early
Such is the state of affairs in Islamabad that police and administration threaten shop-owners pretty much every day with "grave consequences," and with the threat of getting "locked up". Of course, there is no law under which shop-keepers can be legally locked up for not closing their shops.
But then again, the "yes sir" attitude runs from top to bottom. The boss commands and the minions obey. The public? Who cares what they think?
Those of us who live in the suburbs of Islamabad and happen to work, reach home after a full day at the office, freshen up and go out to find that the city has officially become a graveyard.
So what exactly, I ask, were the policy makers thinking?
Whimsical ideas that spur up randomly like mushrooms in the brain of some guy sitting bored in the corridors of power become law and the public is left baffled, scratching its heads, asking: why?
Let me tell you, we don't live in New York, where temperatures do not cross 30 degrees in the summer, and where it is still bearable to move around, eat out, shop or just have a good time even in the afternoon.
We live in Islamabad, it is already touching 40 degrees and it is only going to get worse as days go by. Everyone stays in, or at least those of us who can, do not go out when the sun is out in all its glory and right at the top of our heads. Don't force us to.
Instead, you know what's a smart move? Utilising our country's sunlight for solar energy, like that initiative in Bahawalpur. Now, that's a smart move! Forcing people out of their homes in the scorching heat on the other hand is not.
If the genius idea of closing commercial centres by force is to be taken seriously and implemented effectively, a law or ordinance needs to be made that specifically addresses the issue, defines the penalties and the details of who can impose these.
In addition, uniformity throughout the country would be a fair step.
Take a look: Traders go on strike today against early closure of markets
Lastly, I would just request the capital's administration to put their thinking hats on and while at it, pass them on to the men in the white building as well.
Cinderella’s carriage turned into a pumpkin at midnight because the spell wore off, but it seems that in Pakistan, every hour is a pumpkin hour for the thinking mind – the minute you try to introduce innovation and change, you are turned into a pumpkin and everyone starts carving into you.
We don't have electricity. Admitted. But Islamabad's few lonesome shops will barely make a dent in saving the watts. Why not catch those who steal electricity and dodge the bills?
Increase the rate of commercial electricity after 10pm, so those who can afford to keep their shops open can keep them open. At least give them a chance. This will generate you income as well.
Make dams. Innovate. Strategise. Improvise.
I won't suggest thinking out of the box, but for crying out loud, at least think.
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He can be contacted at siddique.humayun@gmail.com. He tweets @siddiquehumayun.
