Not it, he says
While Prime Minister Gilani might really be innocent as he claims, the arguments he advances would have few takers outside the PPP. His answers to the questions raised about cases of apparent misuse of authority are particularly unconvincing. Referring to the appointments of Adnan Khwaja, Khurram Rasul and Rao Shakeel, he maintains that this was done on the basis of recommendations made by the officials. Being in the thick of parliamentary politics for nearly a quarter of a century, Gilani was expected to choose advisors carefully and use his judgment when accepting their recommendations. If the excuse was to be accepted, the grievous sins committed by Ayub, Yahya and Zia and many civilian rulers will have to be forgiven for most of them claimed they were given bad advice.
Gilani maintains that his government has done a lot for Balochistan. But have the forced disappearances or custodial killings stopped? Have Bugti’s murderers been brought to book? Does Balochistan enjoy provincial autonomy? The province’s governor and the prime minister have repeatedly claimed that they are powerless and the agencies continue to act on their own. Gilani claims that he gave an extension to the DG ISI on his own. He must therefore also take responsibility for the abysmal failure to rein in the agency. What is the use of calling an APC on Balochistan when the government is not willing to do its own duties? Gilani now holds that the government did not write to the Swiss authorities because the president is a part of parliament and it would have amounted to contempt of parliament if he had written the letter to a foreign government seeking his trial. This may be a good afterthought or better advice, but whether it would convince the court remains to be seen. That banned outfits continue to remain active after assuming new names is a reflection on the quality of the PPP administration’s governance. But Gilani has little to say in his defence besides laying the blame for inaction on the provincial governments despite Sindh being ruled by the same coalition that controls the centre.
Gilani has shown unusual tolerance and forbearance as a PM. One also expected him to be forthright. This is, however, what one fails to find in his answers.
