The Imran Qadri headache,
The press
conference by Javed Hashmi, the president of the PTI, on August 31 should be an
eye opener for all those who still believe in the illusion that cricketing
leadership is equal to, if not better than, political leadership
The political horizon of Pakistan has finally witnessed the emergence of
a new pressure group comprising the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) led by
Imran Khan and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) led by Dr Tahirul Qadri. The
other day, the latter called both parties political cousins hell bent on
altering the political trajectory of Pakistan. Perhaps these parties could not
be political brothers because one had a legitimate (electoral) representation
in parliament whereas the other was deprived of that privilege. By not
countering Dr Qadri’s claim, Khan tacitly accepted it and thereby reduced the
status of PTI to that of PAT. Their synchronisation in several aspects showed
that both parties share a common agenda in intent and action. One of the more
dangerous common tactics adopted by these political cousins was inciting their
followers to break the law. Unfortunately, on August 31, 2014 a press release
issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) at the conclusion of a
hurriedly convened corps commanders’ conference, fell short of identifying or
showing concern about the incitement, if the ISPR was keen to issue any such
statement at all.
There are a few other injustices the press release conveyed. For
instance, it said, “While reaffirming support to democracy, the conference
reviewed with [a] serious concern the existing political crisis and the violent
turn it has taken, resulting in large scale injuries and [the] loss of lives.”
The question is, why did the conference reaffirm its support to democracy only,
why not to the constitution as well? Similarly, why was no support to
parliament extended by the conference? Do the corps commanders think that Prime
Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif should resign on the demand of Khan for the sake of
democracy even if the constitution does not demand it? Do the corps commanders
think that parliament and all the provincial assemblies should be dissolved to
meet the wishes of Dr Qadri to realise his revolution?
The press release went on to say: “Further [the] use of force will only
aggravate the problem.” The question is, how have the corps commanders assumed
the role of advisors to the elected government? Even if the corps commanders
assumed such a role, they should also have given suggestions to the government
about how to refrain the unruly and fully provoked mob from crossing the red
line of storming buildings. The aggravation of the problem may be important but
the question is: who created the problem? The activities of Sheikh Rasheed,
exchanging messages between people, indicate something. If not the army, which
institution of state does Rasheed claim his public association with? If not
something suspicious, what does the meeting of PTI Vice President Shah Mehmood
Qureshi with General (retired) Pervez Musharraf in Karachi a few days ago
indicate?
If this was to be the quality of the press release, what was the hurry
in calling the corps commanders’ conference? In principle, the press release
should have mentioned that the corps commanders would not support any
unconstitutional act by any party. Second, the press release should have
mentioned that the corps commanders would not support any agitation or protest
that could undermine parliament. In fact, instead of leaving ambiguities in the
press release, the corps commanders should have been clear on their stance on
both the constitution and parliament. This was important because the means
adopted by the followers of both the PTI and the PAT to access their ostensible
rights cannot be confined to them. Furthermore, in the electoral rebound of the
PPP and PML-N and in the electoral rejection of pro-Musharraf parties in the
past two general elections, there is a point of caution for all those thinking
of the introduction of any version of martial law.
The press conference by Javed Hashmi, the president of the PTI, on
August 31 should be an eye opener for all those who still believe in the
illusion that cricketing leadership is equal to, if not better than, political
leadership, that a good cricketing sense can also do wonders in politics and
that a cricketing hero can be a political hero. From the top of his container,
Khan kept on exposing his political naivety and stubbornness. Khan’s words and
acts were a blessing in disguise for the political system of Pakistan. One can
imagine what would have happened if Khan’s party had secured an overwhelming
majority in parliament. The tendency in Khan to listen to no one could have put
the whole region in crisis. Did the corps commanders think about that?
It is understandable that the youth living in the homes of corps
commanders consider Khan their hero but it is not understandable how the same
youth (and their parents) are blind to the repercussions of the success of Dr
Qadri’s revolution, in whatever form. Khan did an unpardonable act of injustice
to the political system by providing the cover of his party to the PAT. Alone,
Dr Qadri could not have gone to the extent he has and his followers would not
have resorted to breaking the law as they did on August 30. Khan failed to
realise that the political treasure he gathered over the past 18 years has been
lost in the past 18 days. Many people lament the procrastination of the
government in meeting the demands of both the PTI and the PAT. On the contrary,
the present indicates that even if Khan’s initial demand (of recounting votes
in four national electoral constituencies) were met, August 30 was bound to
visit Pakistan. Now, Pakistan must be ready to embrace a new kind of politics,
the one originated by the political cousins, the intent and actions of whom
were overlooked by the corps commanders.
The writer is a freelance columnist and can be
reached at qaisarrashid@yahoo.com
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