On the Halva March
According to Daily Jang (04 November 2019), Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry opined that the failure of the Halva March was the success of Pakistan. He further expressed his view that those behind the Azadi March were the same who had opposed the creation of Pakistan.
Negativity
Qamar Zaman Kaira, according to Daily Jang (04 November 2019), claimed that if the rulers did not desist form their usual negative tactics (riwayati manfi hathkandon se baaz aa jaein), then the PPP would also resort to the unpleasant step (na-pasandeeda faisla) of a dharna sit-in.
Different Dharna
Daily Jang (04 November 2019) informed its readers that the current Azadi March was different from the dharna protests of 2014, because it consisted of primarily bearded men of whom none was to be found without a cap on their head – and that none of them seemed afraid. Moreover, the report continued, there were no women to be seen there, unlike traditional protests (jaisa ke riwayati jalson mein dekha jata hai).
Small Change
According to Daily Jang (05 November 2019), Special Adviser to the Prime Minister Usman Dar claimed that Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman could make any number of demands that he wanted, but the matter would be resolved in 25 to 50 rupees (pachees pachaas rupay mein kaam ho jaye ga).
Buzdar’s preference
Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar was quoted by Daily Jang (05 November 2019) as saying that those who practiced a politics of tumult (afratafri ki siyasat) were unsuccessful before and remain unsuccessful now. He further stated that it was not wisdom to sacrifice the journey of progress at the altar of negative politics.
Promises, promises
Siraj-ul-Haq of the Jamaat-e-Islami, according to Daily Express (06 November 2019), reminded the PM that he had promised to provide containers as well as food to those who organize a dharna in the capital, but that now protesters were sitting in the cold, without being given food or quilts by the government. He went on to urge the government to fulfill at least one promise that it made, so that it might be on the record.
Hate the game, not the player
Chaudhry Nisar, according to Daily Express (07 November 2019), is of the view that the dharna organized by Imran Khan in 2014 was wrong, as was the one from Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman now. In this way, he claimed, any band (jatha) could come into the capital and cause a change of government.
Another doctor in the House
It was reported by Daily Express (08 November 2019) that when Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services Regulations and Coordination Dr Zafar Mirza was briefing the PM on the Medical Bill 2019, Dr. Ramesh Kumar interrupted to say that he, too, was a doctor and ought to have been consulted. The PM reprimanded Dr. Ramesh Kumar (jhaar diya) and asked him to take his seat and listen to the briefing.
If they want it
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari of the PPP was quoted by Daily Express (09 November 2019) as saying that no party had accepted the results of the elections in 2018, and that if the people wanted it, then the party would also participate in dharna politics (awam kahay tou Peoples Party dharnay ki siyasat bhee karay gi) and send the “Selected” home.
Options
Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, according to Daily Nawa-i-Waqt (09 November 2019), offered two options to the government’s negotiating team. He called for the PM to step down, or for elections to be held within 3 months in case the PM refused to resign.