And the ECP bouncer
Imran Khan’s troubles with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would not have snowballed if he had only applied the same rules of the game to himself that he does to others. ECP’s jurisdiction with regard to the contempt case notwithstanding, if Imran had only played ball and presented himself – especially since, as he says, he is clean – he would not only have proved his innocence and assumed the higher moral ground, but he would also have done his party a world of good. Now, instead, there’s the (bailable) arrest warrant and Rs0.1m surety bonds; and, of course, a pot-holed road to follow.
Khan has been in the game long enough to know just how much perception matters in politics, especially in our neck of the woods. Now his detractors will, once again, beat him with the same stick that he himself hands them every now and then, and with good reason. When one who demands justice above all – to the point of naming his party the Movement for Justice (Tehreek e Insaf) – is seen hiding behind excuses when fingers are pointed at him, the political pendulum is bound to swing.
But Khan seems in no mood for soul searching. Hours after the warrant he was flouting more ECP rules on Thursday evening, leading a rally right through NA-120 (from Charing Cross toData Darbar). Clearly he has no respect for the ECP ruling that after issuance of schedule of the by-poll, no party leader or public office holder will visit the area, etc. For someone so quick on the draw when others cross the line, Imran Khan is beginning to display double standards. If he doesn’t reconsider his position on certain matters, he will only invite unnecessary, and uncalled for, problems for himself and his party.
