Whatever the merits of Mr. Qadri’s campaign, the fact remains that his march has cost the Exchequer billions of Rupees. Initial estimates indicate that additional security in Islamabad cost the government around Rs 25 Corores. Additionally more than three times that amount was spent in the cleanup.
The agreement to hold the march should have included a stipulation that D-Block would be left in the same condition that was found in. A deposit for the estimated cost of the clean-up would ensure that the march organizers didn’t leave garbage strewn along the streets. The bill should include the cost of hiring additional workers, overtime, and all expenses (trucks, gasoline, over-time, extra-labor, damage to plants, repainting of roads, etc).
If the authorities of Islamabad do not charge the march organizers the cost of the clean-up, then it shows the basic incompetence of the administration.
What stops the Islamabad Municipal Authority from billing the TMQ and Mr. Qadri for the mess he caused and left behind? The money should be easy to collect because Mr. Qadri is a Canadian Citizen. A notice can be sent to Mr. Qadir, and if he refuses to pay up, the matter can be taken up on the local court –or the bill can be sent to a collection agency.
