Islamabad: Wall around Red Zone to deface Islamabad

[Naveed Yaseen]

by Ishrat Hyatt
The news that the administration was contemplating building a wall around a thirteen kilometre area in Islamabad known as the Red Zone — the presidency, houses of parliament; supreme court building; prime minister’s residence; the diplomatic enclave; parliament lodges; the Foreign Office; television headquarters; hotels in the vicinity and the areas surrounding these buildings — came as a shock to everyone, especially those who live in Islamabad. The thought that ‘Islamabad the Beautiful’ would be turned into ‘Islamabad the Ugly’ for the supposed security of the diplomatic community and those who have been elected by the people of this country, as their representatives, is depressing to say the least.

Now that the Upper House of Parliament is debating whether to go ahead with the project — which, by the way, will cost billions of rupees that we cannot afford now or in the near future — it is hoped that the senators will let better sense prevail and veto the idea in a united voice. It can be understood that whoever suggested it in the first place must have reacted in a negative manner after the blast, which occurred at the Marriott last month — it is well known that we are a nation that reacts rather than acts proactively — but the time has come to think rationally.

The wall will do nothing except create more divisions among the residents of Islamabad who are already divided into ‘privileged’ and ‘non-privileged’ groups to some extent, keeping in mind the different sectors and who lives where.

Besides, who says that the lives of diplomats, parliamentarians and other VIP’s are more precious than those of the average Pakistani or the man on the street? Why should extra security be provided to those who lord it over their fellowmen and already have perks and privileges beyond the worth of the work they do? There are already more policemen on VIP duty than there are to provide you, me and other masses with security. It is the duty of the government to provide security for all its citizens and since parliamentarians are part of the government what right have they to hide behind a wall that divides them from their constituents? If the diplomats feel insecure, let them live behind a wall (or go home if they are so nervous), but the capital must not be defaced in this manner. On top of this blunder, the fact that our VIP’s are hiding behind a wall will only give those who want to terrorise us a feeling of satisfaction that they have succeeded in their agenda of making the top brass run scared.

If, heaven forbid, the upper house decides to go ahead with this monstrous idea, the residents of Islamabad should rise to the occasion and protest as strongly as they can against this absurdity. It should be remembered that most of us believe that death comes when it is ordained and while this does not mean that you should brazenly walk into danger, it does give you the strength to face it while living life without fear.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=141788