And threats
Imran Khan’s observations and demands of the government at the half-way mark cannot really be argued with. That fuel prices and electricity tariff should be reduced is a justified demand, as is the call to rehabilitate PSEs instead of rushing head-first into senseless privatisation. And streamlining the FBR, expanding the tax base, and repatriating money stashed abroad were actually PML-N promises on the campaign trail. It is the duty of all political forces, especially opposition parties, to remind the government what it has not done, and question it whenever it crosses the line.
Imran’s threats, on the other hand, are a cause for considerable concern. Once more he’s threatening street protests and what not unless his demands are met. Clearly the course of events has made little impression on his obsession with dharnas. Not many have forgotten how the joint venture with PAT ran out of steam in Islamabad when the ‘third umpire’ refused to play ball; and how he would have struggled with finding a face-saving retreat if not for the Peshawar tragedy. Still, though, he’s all for jamming the streets, and the system, unless everybody agrees with him.
Perhaps if PTI spent as much energy pushing for reform in the House as it does protesting on the streets it would have had a better chance of pressurising the government and pushing its corrective agenda through. Also, improving governance in KP would make a more compelling case for change than pouring his hordes onto streets once again. It would be more parliamentary and more democratic. And it would make the party more attractive for the Baloch, for example, than promoting anti-government agitation. Yet the party, just like others in parliament (especially the government), does not seem too concerned about the sanctity of the House. Once more, therefore, PTI is saying the right things, but going about the wrong way to have itself heard.
