Tainted and ticketed: PPP, PML-N face litmus test

Several leaders accused of corruption likely to get PPP, PML-N tickets for coming polls

With the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) set to announce their party ticket-holders in a few days, the real test for both mainstream political outfits would be to maintain transparency and keeping up promises, as both have been claiming to be whistleblowers for a change in the country’s system.

It would be a test of integrity of the leadership of both parties and it remains to be seen if they deny party tickets to those who are facing allegations and their cases are being heard in courts for corruption, drug trafficking etc.

There are a number of potential candidates among the ranks of various political parties who have tainted past and have been involved in mega corruption scandals and cases, but ironically they were cleared by the returning officers for their respective constituencies for contesting the coming elections.

As the elections are fast approaching, the sword of disqualification still hangs over several political heavyweights, including chiefs of the major political parties.

Interestingly, the PML-N leadership took strong stance against the alleged corruption by PPP leadership and always demanded minister or prime minister step down if he or she was accused of corruption charges. But it would be a question whether the PML-N leadership stands by its principles.

As almost the most difficult and strange phase of scrutiny has came to an end, the real test of political leadership has begun, and every party has given refuge to a good number of alleged looters and corrupt leaders in its ranks. Now it is up to their leadership to go to the polls with the same old corrupt guards or introduce new and fresh cadres of good repute.

The real test would be for the leadership of PML-N, which has gathered a huge crowd of heavyweights just to grab power.

Though the PML-N leadership missed no chance in the near past to blame other parties for their misdeeds and corruption, it is all-set to pitch Hanif Abbasi against PTI chairman Imran Khan for NA-56 Rawalpindi seat, despite the alleged involvement of Abbasi in the Ephedrine case.

The PML-N is facing another test as former MNA from NA-48, Anjum Aqeel Khan, has been allegedly involved in the National Police Foundation (NPF) land scam of Rs 6 billion, due to which he was detained by the Islamabad police.

However, Aqeel managed to flee police custody with the support of hundreds of his supporters who raided a police station he was detained at.

“Hanif Abbasi is all set to win the PML-N ticket for NA-56, Rawalpindi while a debate is on for Anujm Aqeel, whose future might be sacrificed not for his corruption, but if the PML-N got into alliance with the Jamat-e-Islami,” a source in the PML-N told Pakistan Today.

As far as Abbasi is concerned, the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) in Rawalpindi had booked him for his involvement in getting a quota of ephedrine of 500kgs illegally and among the charges filed against him, drug trafficking was also included.

Brigadier Fahim, who was tasked with investigating into the Ephedrine case, was later removed from his office in ANF and his services were transferred to the army. Fahim had given statement against Abbasi, but the PML-N is inclined towards awarding him a ticket, sources maintained.

On the other hand, three PPP leaders, including sons of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and former federal minister of health Makhdoom Shahabuddin are facing corruption allegations.

But all three have been awarded party tickets for the forthcoming polls, a PPP source said.

Abdul Qadir is facing allegations in the Haj scam, while Ali Musa Gilani and Makhdoom Shahabuddin are accused of being involved in the in Ephedrine case; still the PPP has awarded them tickets for the upcoming general elections.

Political and defence analyst Hassan Askari Rizvi said the stance taken by the PML-N and other parties’ leadership was part of political point-scoring and none of them really believed in the argument.

“Politicians only look for elect-ables and financiers, not people with integrity. Their arguments are always for others. The politicians only want people with money and loyalties for their families,” he added.

Askari said whenever they were confronted to act against their own leaders, they hid behind argument of lack of evidence.

When contacted, Shaikh Mansoor, coordination secretary to Faryal Talpur told Pakistan Today that the PPP leadership had finalised party tickets for its candidates in Punjab.

“The PPP would announce the party tickets in three days’ time.”

Asked whether the PPP leadership was going to award party tickets to people like Musa Gilani, Abdul Qadir Gilani and Makhdoom Shahabuddin, Mansoor said allegations of corruption and FIRs were not a new phenomenon for his party leaders.

“You know how many cases of grave allegations were filed against President Asif Ali Zardari, Benazir Bhutto and other leaders. But none could be proven. Moreover, our leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged in a false case. So the allegations don’t become a hurdle for us,” he added.

He said Faryal Talpur was likely to arrive in the federal capital today (Wednesday) as she was busy finalising party tickets in Sindh.

Mansoor said party tickets would be announced after the election tribunals decided appeals by candidates.

Despite repeated attempts, PML-N Secretary Information Mushahidullah Khan did not attend his cell phone.