Or same old score-settling?
Imran Khan kicked up quite a storm recently by suggesting that the military take up the job of ensuring political accountability as well; in addition to its many present preoccupations. The most prominent politicians did not like the idea, of course. And while part of their apprehensions may well relate to constitutional nuances, there is clearly more that disturbs them. No doubt the concern stems, at least in part, from the novelties brought about in the wake of the Karachi operation. Since the military is the real driving force behind the operation, the invite to expand the scope of the cleansing further north, especially in Punjab, is raising questions about corruption and the corrupt.
Suddenly the ruling party is expressing fears about elements in the system bent upon uprooting it before the cycle ends. It follows PPP’s cries that it is being pushed against the wall; and that democracy itself is at risk because of this sort of ‘political victimisation’. That, of course, happened only when some shady characters close to the co-chairman were picked up on corruption charges. Till then it did not have too many problems with the operation, no matter how loudly MQM was expressing similar concerns when it came under the axe.
As the accountability progresses, however, there are questions about which institution is best placed to pursue it. Imran’s concerns reflect a good part of wider sentiment, even if they test constitutional limits. People simply do not expect politicians to hold other politicians to account. The military, too, is being watched with expectation because of the unexpected work done in Karachi so far. Otherwise, it has not been spared its share of public doubt over the years.
The question about accountability, therefore, remains unanswered. The public, at least, remains clueless about how the process is to proceed. It made a small, yet spirited, start in Karachi. But a lot of institutional follow up will be needed to make the process worthwhile. Otherwise it is bound to run out of steam sooner rather than later.
