Long and short of it
PML-N, unfortunately, is still trying to put a spin on the Chotu affair. Instead of admitting the obvious – which the rest of the world has pretty much digested – party leaders are, typically, avoiding questions regarding the Punjab CM’s failed boast and implying that the military has not really completed the operation yet. Shahbaz Sharif has wisely been silent enough though. This was not the first time one of his boasts proved hollow. He built the party’s ’13 campaign trail on a host of such promises.
But the Punjab Operation is different. This time he made a promise he could not keep and the military had to fill a very dangerous vacuum. That, of course, puts the ruling party under yet more pressure; it has had its hands full lately with the Panama Papers, India pressure, Afghanistan pressure, US pressure, etc. Now the tall clam – that Punjab police is prepped and equipped enough to do the job on its own – has been torn to shreds. And however loud they cry about the military not helping when the police first asked, they just cannot sidestep the fact that they themselves sanctioned a limited military/Rangers role, and both the CM and IG had repeatedly assured they had what it took.
Two things have become pretty clear. One, the military will take the lead in stomping out militancy as well as corruption; even if that means ruffling feathers in Sharifs backyard of Punjab. And two, Punjab’s security machinery is nowhere near up to scratch considering the challenges it faces. Therefore, it seems that the long and short of the Punjab situation is that there is a black hole that needs filling, and only the military seems to have the means, will and inclination to plug it.