PTI’s boycott

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What democracy do they speak of?

 

PTI’s decision and reasoning to boycott Turkish President Erdogan’s address this week to a joint session of parliament is both nonsensical and detrimental to our image internationally as it displays disunity. That the decision was taken without consultation with other party MNA’s and senators was indicative of the undemocratic streak in the party .

 

Imran Khan has most likely ignored the fact that Erdogan has been invited by the president of Pakistan not the Prime Minister. Therefore the argument that the party won’t be part of a sitting under a “controversial PM who is facing corruption charges” is invalid. Furthermore it sets a bad precedent whereby any opposition party that does not see eye to eye with the ruling government – something that is usually the case- can simply boycott events being attended by international dignitaries by citing self-serving rationale.

 

PTI claims to be a party of change that will bring true democracy to Pakistan but time and again it has proven to be anything but. Multiple attempts to oust an elected PM notwithstanding, the running of the party’s internal affairs are done in a very autocratic fashion similar to that of the PML-N. The panama papers case against Nawaz Sharif in being heard by the Supreme court and will be decided after due process. A decision to boycott an address by the leader of one of the few international allies we have before any verdict has been given that finds the PM guilty makes little sense.

 

The PTI has established itself as a formidable opponent to the PML-N in Punjab that keeps the Sharifs on their toes. It has been successful in forcing the Supreme Court to hear a case it was unwilling to seven months ago. A decision such as the boycott and the PML-N-like fashion in which it was taken does little to inspire confidence in tall claims of reform, change and accountability. Imran Khan should change his stance on this issue; after all it won’t be the first time he backtracked.

 

 

 

10 COMMENTS

  1. Is the image of corruption and money laundering by your ruling elite not detrimental and nonsensical? PTI has no moral, legal or democratic obligation to consult other MNA's, such decisions are taken by core leadership. Did you write about NS making all the decisions with out consultation or approval of the cabinet? What is really nonsensical and laughable are your baseless, clueless and absurdly childish accusations.

  2. Since Imran Khan is well known for U-turns, PTI is considering not to boycott the Parliament Joint Session reported in a Karachi Daily. And he has done it (or will do) to avoid another of a big big embarrassment for the Ruling party. One can see the good intentions of PTI to cancel Islamabad's agitation. The Turkish Ambassador met him yesterday after which IK changed his mind.

  3. My previous comments that IK has reversed his decision of boycott was based on a media report – as I said. But it did not happen. The Editorial charges that Imran Khan has 'forced' the Apex Court to hear them is unexpected and highly objectionable. The proceedings in the Supreme Court are on and the whole Nation is expecting the truth will come out. So far the IMAGE of the country is concerned – at home or Internationally, the less said is better. Could PTI attending the Parliament session boost the image of our country ?

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