‘Go Nawaz Go’ fever grips capital a week before Nov 2

Islamabad reeks of fear and excitement as November 2, the so far final date of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf lockdown, slides near. The imminent lockdown has become not only the topic of serious conversations held in drawing rooms of the influential but also the folks sipping tea at a dhabba after a hectic day at work verbally show their anxiety and aspirations about the event.

With political theatre in full swing, even the youth has chosen sides. Recently while driving to office this scribe came across students of schools and colleges who were participating in an awareness walk held by a private school on International Polio Day and they were chanting slogans of ‘Go Nawaz Go’ with all the might of their lungs. When asked why they were doing it, Yasin, a student of intermediate said they raised the slogans because they’ve heard others make it. ‘We’ve heard the slogans being yelled and became the part of the chorus,’ he said.

The normal day of life has a palpable undercurrent of anxiety and foreboding of something sinister. Residents are busy in sharing warnings, advices and updates about the lockdown on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp. Many of the warnings advise them to remain indoors, stock eatables, dry food, medicines and patrol. The government has decided to keep the city up and running, the police and security forces have been given the task of providing safety and security to citizens commuting from home to work. It is yet to be seen how things actually go on November 2.

‘I don’t understand why the things that should’ve been settled in legislature and courts have to be sorted out on pavements and roads. How could anyone dare to put a whole capital under siege? I wish our politicos were a little better at their game i.e. politics. But, alas, they just don’t learn. The layman will suffer by the hands of mighty messiahs,’ said Sarah, who currently works with UN mission in Pakistan.