The day after the attack on APS Peshawar, Jibran Nasir and four others held a candlelight vigil in front of Lal Masjid, Islamabad, protesting against then-chief cleric Abdul Aziz for refusing to condemn the massacre. After Mr. Nasir proliferated the campaign on social media, the number of people drawn to the premise rapidly increased. Soon, a sizeable number of demonstrators were found camping in the blistering cold outside of Islamabad’s oldest mosque, calling out Abdul Aziz for his statement and Taliban apologists in general. They belonged to various segments of society, including politicians, activists, students, and ordinary citizens. Eventually, an FIR was registered against Mr. Aziz for threatening the protesters. More significantly, perhaps, Lal Masjid’s deputy khatib and other clerics joined the protesters in condemning the Peshawar attack.
This incident illustrates a key feature of Mr. Nasir’s campaign – grassroots advocacy. He has frequently used approaches involving community-based education and collective action of the ordinary citizens to challenge the status quo, addressing a number of social issues. Many of these, including marginalization of Ahmadiyya, women empowerment, and rights of religious and ethnic minorities, tend to be avoided by most politicians seeking the support of more conservative and right-wing voters. Nevertheless, Mr. Nasir has repeatedly refused to compromise on his outlook to attract more voters from this base, leading few to question his integrity.
Altering the status quo in Pakistan is a notion strongly entwined with Mr. Nasir’s campaign, and is evident in his other ventures. As a lawyer, for example, he is a part of the counsel for Khadija Siddiqui, for the father of Naqeebullah Mehsud, and against Shahrukh Jatoi. Likewise, in a recent, widely reported incident, Mr. Nasir was arrested and allegedly beaten for refusing to give way to a judge’s protocol, citing ‘VIP culture.’ This stand has culminated into a strong base of support. To many, he is essentially a candidate representing greater involvement of the middle class and a stronger voice for the marginalized groups in society.
NA-247 is a highly competitive constituency this year, with MQM leader Farooq Sattar, PSP’s Fauzia Kasuri, PTI stalwart Dr. Arif Alvi, and Mr. Nasir all campaigning for a seat in the National Assembly. The constituency encompasses Defence Housing Authority, Clifton Cantonment, Saddar and Civil Lines, and part of the old city, Kharadar, cutting across socio-economic classes. The residents report facing a multitude of concerns, including a water shortage, improper sanitation, inadequate education for underprivileged children, and for the Christians and Hindus, few, if any, public places of worship.
There is no questioning that each candidate has a strong understanding of the political and socio-economic dynamics of the issues present in this constituency. Nor can it be reasonably denied that each has a resolve and manifesto to solve or mitigate said issues. However, it is not enough to meet these challenges without integrating the marginalization and neglect, in varying structures, of many of the citizens of the constituency. Innovation and development can no longer come from building upon the political, social, and economic reform for specific citizens, but at least raising the standard for all. Unless the underlying hindrances, the status quo being a part, are not committed to being overcome, no development is adequately progressive.
Though this may be understood by all party candidates, experienced politicians that they are, they are essentially limited in taking action by their party’s policies and perspectives. Take Imran Khan’s recent undermining of feminism and religious minorities, or MQM’s history of political instability. Or the fact that, again, few politicians go against the status quo. The less likely they are to change it, ultimately. Given that Mr. Nasir has already been heading in a different direction, the importance of this will be the deciding factor in a vote for him.
The candidate has risen to prominence following the Lal Masjid protest, with his work gaining greater attention. His endorsement by a number of celebrities, as well his policies, which have appealed most significantly to both leftists and moderates, have made him a serious opponent for his fellow candidates in this year’s elections.
While Jibran Nasir may, as an elected candidate, be unable to carry forward several of his resolutions, that is not the rationale behind his campaign or the support for it. Few serve to represent and enhance the progressive movement in Pakistan, on the national legislature. Grassroots campaigning will primarily be a step in the direction of reforming the social constructs that establish the status quo.