The epic ‘muk-muka’

How Nawaz and Imran ended up agreeing

It was none other than Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan who introduced the term ‘muk-muka’ into the country’s political debate. The term is a pure Punjabi phrase which refers to an underhand deal or a bargain between two or more parties, which brings about a marriage of convenience for all parties concerned.

Imran Khan, however, used this term to taunt his major opponents – especially the leaders of ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the former ruling party — Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) – claiming that both Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari had struck a ‘secret deal’ under which both would rule Pakistan turn-by-turn and neither would question the other’s corrupt practices. They would support each other’s government complete its term while being in the opposition.

The term ‘muk-muka’ not only attracted the media but it also had a great appeal for the common people who thronged in huge numbers to listen to the taunts of the PTI chief, who promised never to strike any deal with the corrupt, choosing to rather expose the malpractices of both major parties.

However, it seems that Khan has fallen into his own trap over the recent agreement between the PTI and the PML-N for formation of a judicial commission to hold a through probe into the allegations of massive rigging in 2013 general elections. This looks to be a fit case for a muk-muka between the ruling party and PTI.

Prior to the deal, not only had PTI leaders lost direction in their demand for a judicial probe into rigging charges, but top PML-N leaders were unofficially telling the media that the commission would never be formed, as any rigging proved by the probe would bring about the political demise of the ruling party.

Hence, the agreement reached between the PTI and PML-N has not only surprised political analysts, but it has also shocked the rank and file of both political parties. Though most of the cabinet ministers are not ready to officially talk over the deal, some of the ruling party leaders claim in off the record discussions that the establishment has played a behind-the-scenes role by brokering a deal between the premier and Khan.

Prior to the deal, not only had PTI leaders lost direction in their demand for a judicial probe into rigging charges, but top PML-N leaders were unofficially telling the media that the commission would never be formed

Well-placed sources in the government say that the agreement is a part of the strategy of the country’s powerful establishment to form a larger alliance of pro-federation political forces to help thwart the efforts to sabotage the ongoing operation against the militant wings of terrorists, political parties and extortionists in the port city of Karachi.

The establishment believes that the PTI is popular amongst the people of Karachi and the recent demonstrations led by Imran Khan across Sindh have proved that the PTI may break the hegemony of Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) while it may also jolt the PPP’s hold in interior Sindh.

The sources claim that the credit for the deal goes to the chief of army staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif who met with the prime minister recently with a plan in his pocket about taking on board the embattled and cornered Imran Khan.

Hence, it seems that the government leadership decided to take the PTI chief on board and it was decided that a judicial commission may be formed to achieve two objectives — one, to break the political status quo in Karachi; and second; to provide political impetus to the government against any possible alliance between the Sindh-based parties i.e., the PPP and the MQM, against the Karachi operation.

Sources say that the premier was briefed by army chief about how a conspiracy was being hatched to make the ongoing operation in Karachi controversial. They say that the establishment had briefed the prime minister about a secret plan being pushed by pro-India and pro-western elements in the political parties as well as in the civil society and non-governmental organisations to raise questions about the military operation in order to make the entire cleansing move “highly partisan” on lingual and ethnic basis.

The sources added that the army chief briefed the premier that the enemy was manoeuvring the situation against the army and formation of a cartel of those political entities had to be targeted during the operation for militant wings or links with criminal mafias.

The government has also been provided with evidence gathered by intelligence agencies suggesting that this campaign had been planned to damage the government’s push against criminals and to keep Karachi “bleeding”.

The sources further told that both the premier and the COAS agreed that the operation against militant wings and their abettors and corroborators would be taken to its logical conclusion to cleanse the port city, which is lifeline of Pakistan.

It seems that the government leadership decided to take the PTI chief on board and it was decided that a judicial commission may be formed

While the PTI badly needed a morale booster after being sidelined in wake of the army’s onslaught against terrorist groups following the TTP attack on APS School Peshawar, the federal government also badly needed an alliance with the PTI as allegations of rigged polls have almost deprived the prime minister of his moral authority.

This deal has provided respite to Imran Khan, who had almost lost the narrative as the PTI had been facing tough challenges due to intra-party conflicts and lacklustre performance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

With the prime minister’s agreement for the judicial probe, Khan has reclaimed the moral ground, while the premier is a clear looser whether rigging is proved or not.

Some leaguers claim that the judicial commission would not be able to get to the rigging evidence and Khan’s claims would fall flat. Moreover, they also claim that in the country’s history, no judicial commission has ever been able to prove anything in black and white or even fix responsibility. However, all such examples would only provide impetus to the rhetoric of Imran Khan.

Even if the commission is unable to prove anything, the rigging claims would become a myth as conspiracy theories always find roots in the third world. The judicial commission would provide Imran Khan his lost eloquence and the PTI would be able to play the victim card in either case; whether or not rigging is proved.

But, on the other hand, this retreat by Sharif is not new. Though the prime minister, soon after taking oath for a record third term, had taken a very bold stance against the establishment over his long time desire to declare India as the most-favoured nation, however, Sharif’s government suffered a jolt during the long march taken out by Imran Khan last year. Since then, the erosion of Nawaz Sharif’s hold on power has not stopped. Sooner rather than later, the authority of Nawaz Sharif may shrink to the prime minister’s house.