What possessed him?
There is no telling what possessed Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah to come out so openly and rule out legal action against JuD and JeM because the “state itself is involved”. Surely, being a politician for so long, he realises that his words in capacity as minister reflect upon the government he represents; especially when he is talking about extremely sensitive matters. But, then, it’s not as if Pakistani politicians have not been known to promote their own smart ides on live TV, and then regret it soon afterwards.
Still, Sanaullah is too high on the PML-N food chain to be out of the loop regarding the kitchen cabinet’s plans. It was for a reason, after all, that the party made sure he was reinstated as law minister after the Model Town disaster. So it was either a calculated move to stir up a measure of timely confusion. If so, it was in poor taste and poorly timed. Or it was a case of Rana sahab being more correct than political on a matter of national importance. But if that were the case, why return to his trademark political correctness about South Punjab’s militancy problem? Why not be just as straight forward about the back yard and PML-N’s suspect linkages as well?
Interestingly, Interpol has issued Red Corner Notices against JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar and his brother Abdul Rauf in the Pathankot Airbase case; at New Delhi’s request, of course. Perhaps Rana Sanaullah would remember that this incident drove a decisive wedge into the negotiations. And now, with its ‘internationalisation’, it is sure to raise further controversy. For Punjab’s law minister to raise provocative remarks, that too in an interview with a foreign news service, is irresponsible if not a lot more. This is, in fact, a good time for the government to show its commitment towards settling irritants like JuD and JeM once and for all; not just for international diplomatic optics, but for its own present and future.