Scuffles and arrests ahead of lawyers’ long march

Overnight large-scale raids and arrests across the country continue unabated for thwarting the impending lawyers’ long march and sit-in in the federal capital on March 16. Scores of political workers and lawyers have been arrested. The government of Punjab has clamped section 144 in the province including Lahore, while it has been decided to deploy Pakistan Rangers in major cities and towns. Lists of political activists and lawyers have been prepared and their houses are being raided for arrests. Major political parties have asked their activists to reach Islamabad for staging sit-in on the constitution avenue. Many leaders of PML-N, PTI, JI and other political parties have gone underground on tip-off of the crackdown. Does the government's decision to clamp down on the march by outlawing protests and conducting mass arrests -- rather than allow the protest to be conducted -- underscore its skittishness? What would happen if the country goes into turmoil, would the government be able to stop lawyers’ long march? Will the long march bring about any political change in Pakistan?