About practicing and preaching
After uttering these words and making first demand from the new PM,
does he seem different from any average PML-N worker
shouting and maligning PTI in street rallies?
Imran Khan does not seem satisfied with the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif, even though the former prime minister’s whole family has been caught in the Panama Papers net. Soon, they will face references in NAB courts, that too under the strict supervision of a judge of the apex court. What more could Imran possibly expect is difficult to understand, especially for PML-N, which now sees a ‘conspiracy’ behind this ‘selective justice’.
The very day Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi took oath, Mr Khan slapped allegations of Rs2 billion corruption against him in LNG scam, when the PML-N was hardly able to get back to its nerves after the ‘historic’ decision. Moreover, he addressed a public rally and also threw a challenge to PPP co-chairperson by shouting a slogan “Asif Zardari I am coming after you”. In the past, Mr Khan has also called Moulana Fazal-ur-Reham names like ‘Moulana Diesel’ and ridiculed Mehmood Khan Achkzai by ignoring all moral values in politics. By doing so, he publicly lowered himself to the level of an ordinary political worker.
To him, every leader is corrupt except the ones revolving around him. It does not matter if they’ve come from parties he despises and wants to crush through the judicial system or whatever works. He waited for the umpire’s signal, brokered deals with the PAT and held rallies but, perhaps, could not achieve what he wished for.
His character also does not seem much different than his opponents as far as surrendering before the courts of law or responding to allegations is concerned.
His obstinacy in not appearing before the Election Commission of Pakistan, despite repeated notices, over his scandalous remarks is not a secret to anyone. Now when the full bench of the ECP headed by former judge of the Supreme Court has come up with a final decision of its jurisdiction regarding the contempt matter, the evasive PTI chief has decided to challenge it in the Islamabad High Court. By taking shelter under the umbrella of legal procedure, one wonders how Khan is different from Nawaz Sharif and others. Teaching morality and accountability to everyone in the country, he has failed to appreciate the due process of law by absenting himself from the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The episode of Ayesha Ahad is also analogous to that of Ayesha Gulalai’s. Whether Ms Gulalai was managed by the PML-N or it was her own personal grievance against Imran still remains a secret. But in Ayesha Ahad’s case, there is no ambiguity at all. Two of PTI’s senior women leaders, one former federal minister of PPP, Firdous Ashiq Awan, and the other Dr Yasmin Rashid, PTI candidate from NA 120, officially managed Ayesha Ahad and sat on either side of her. They let her speak her grievances against the son of Shahbaz Sharif afresh. Throughout her press conference, the PPP’s ex-stalwart continuously nodded her head affirmatively as if it was her own grievance rather than the victim’s. The PTI made official what was unofficial in the other case. Here, again, how PTI is different from, PML-N for instance, is hard to figure out.
Some of TV channels and analysts who are presently working as mouthpieces of Imran Khan also regretted PTI-sponsored press conference of Ayesha Ahad. Remaining silent for over seven years, the captain too suddenly realised that she needed justice in a tit for tat policy after allegations by Ms Gulalai.
Tweeting from his official account, Imran Khan said: “First test for new PM: Will he set up Parl Comm to investigate serious allegations levelled by Ayesha Ahad ag PMLN MNA Hamza Sharif? Or will he remain a darbari of the Sharifs & ignore allegations by Ayesha Ahad incl torture by Punjab police & deception by Hamzah Sharif?” He further tweeted that “Women rights activists should stand by Ayesha Ahad’s quest for justice denied to her for 7 yrs ag physical + mental abuse by Hamza Sharif.”
After uttering these words and making first demand from the new PM, does he seem different from any average PML-N worker shouting and maligning PTI in street rallies?
Moreover, one can’t forget PTI spokesperson Ch Fawad’s comments about Gulalai wherein he commented that anyone can use her. “Her timing of being used does not exceed 48 hours, though 24 hours in some cases.” How foul and condemnable these comments are! Did he receive any show cause notice from the party chairman? Was he warned or scolded from within the party by anyone for making the political discourse so dirty?
The “party of the pure” did not even spare her sister Maria Toorpakai, who is our national hero. She became a victim of this filthy narrative just because she plays squash and wears her official uniform.
With all due apology, its politics and decency and morality is just an idealism that apparently Mr Khan has fallen prey to. Democracy in Pakistan sees viable only if the PTI runs the show of government in the federation. Otherwise this parliamentary system of government will always be attributed to the mafias with only exception of KPK where only ‘labourers and democrats’ are in the power.
Mr Khan is an unbridled horse of politics. Nothing will turn positive until he is happy. And his happiness is all about victory for himself and his party.
