THE smooth transition of government was deemed as a positive omen for the democratic process in 2013. But soon this delusion turned out to be a dream thanks to PTI chief Imran Khan`s 120-day sit-in of 2017 and the sit-ins organised recently by the Labbak Ya Rasulallah.

Democracy guarantees the right to protest peacefully. But the word `peaceful` was missing in both these protests. The protest at Faizabad tells us many things: one, democracy is still under threat in Pakistan; the lawmakers are no one to make laws; then a horde of some 300 can bring an elected government to its knees; four, protesters unabashedly now have the licence to use derogatory language for state institutions, specially for the judiciary and the civil government; five, the duty of the military stands expanded dramatically from securing borders to being mediators; six, protesters can get return fares as their reward.

The question is who orchestrated this 21-day-long protest? Junaid Aziz Jatoi LarkanaTHE smooth transition of government was deemed as a positive omen for the democratic process in 2013. But soon this delusion turned out to be a dream thanks to PTI chief Imran Khan`s 120-day sit-in of 2017 and the sit-ins organised recently by the Labbak Ya Rasulallah.

Democracy guarantees the right to protest peacefully. But the word `peaceful` was missing in both these protests. The protest at Faizabad tells us many things: one, democracy is still under threat in Pakistan; the lawmakers are no one to make laws; then a horde of some 300 can bring an elected government to its knees; four, protesters unabashedly now have the licence to use derogatory language for state institutions, specially for the judiciary and the civil government; five, the duty of the military stands expanded dramatically from securing borders to being mediators; six, protesters can get return fares as their reward.

The question is who orchestrated this 21-day-long protest? Junaid Aziz Jatoi Larkana