Daily Times

PTI promised to be a tsunami of middle class that would usher in an era of development and social justice. Admittedly, six months are not enough to judge a government’s performance that has just come into power for the first time. But it is not wrong to say all we see so far are a handful of shelters for the poor only in major cities of the country and nothing substantial beyond that. I do argue that we should still not doubt their motive or intention as Imran Khan has proved his merit in philanthropic activities. However, his government and team have the potential to disappoint. The episode where Zulfi Bukhari’s name was removed from the ECL even before PTI was in power, or that of Azam Khan Swati abusing his power are still fresh.  We may consider these minor mistakes but there is one that can cost PTI its government.

That includes Fawad Chaudhry’s recent statement in a talk show where he said PTI can break MNAs and MPAs of PPP, PML and of their own ally, PML-Q. This is the same party that helped them form the government and from which they selected the speaker of Punjab assembly from, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi. The same person who garnered more votes than PTI and PML-Q combined who was then selected as the speaker.  To say the least, the statement was highly irresponsible especially coming from the Federal Information Minister would be an understatement.

The information minister has not just attacked PTI’s own allies but is also in a war of words with NAB, the accountability bureau. Yes, one of the state institutions that the government promised to make independent. Yet, the information minister seems bent on influencing this state institution when he says NAB is discrediting the Prime Minister by still pursuing a case against him.

In a recent talk show, Fawad Chaudhry said that the PTI could get MNAs and MPAs from PPP, PML-N as well as PML-Q, which is its ally in the centre and the Punjab. Q-League is the party that helped the PTI form the government. Punjab Assembly speaker, a PML-Q leader, secured more votes in his constituency than that of PML-N and PTI candidates combined

The same information minister obviously knows his government is limping on a thin majority in the federal government in Pakistan’s largest province, Punjab, as well as the federal government. Perhaps Fawad should be reminded that his party is now in the government and not in opposition. They should respect the power of the mandate that people have given to each party. Just as PTI was given the votes to form the government in 3 provinces and in the federal.

But the main argument is PTI was voted in by the educated middle class. Yet, it has included ministers like Fawad Chaudhry who are not only questioned for their credibility in terms of jumping parties – from being in APML to PPP to now in PTI. But he is also accused by PTI’s founding members like Hamid Khan for his questionable role in the Lahore High Court scandal in his book. I am still astounded how PTI supporters still support Fawad Chaudhry despite responding to accusations by saying “dogs keep barking and one shouldn’t care” in Hamid Mir’s show. Fawad forgot he is the minister of the same party that Hamid (or the dog?) founded along with Imran Khan and others. This not only proves his behavioral issues but also his intolerance towards dissent. Instead of proving his innocence and clarifying his role in the scandal, he opted to be abusive and intolerant. Such an attitude will reinforce the opposition’s assessment of PTI being a fascist party.

I do hope PTI succeeds in performing as its failure would not just be a failure of the party but of the optimistic middle class that took ownership of the country. But people can quickly lose hope if this fragile government’s allies start jumping ship before they can perform due to the minister’s irresponsibility and broken promises. As an example, BAP has already sat in the opposition’s meeting and are upset about the missing person’s issue and now PML-Q’s leadership has shared reservations against Fawad’s statement.

PTI and PML are in close competition in Punjab – the province that helps to make or break federal governments. Yet it seems on the surface that PML-Q is the only party holding off N in the province to salvage the provincial government. Such irresponsible statements by cabinet members like Fawad Chaudhry, despite reportedly apologizing afterwards, will not only harm the government but also the hopes of people who have voted them in power.

The author has studied at Monash University, Melbourne. He supports human rights with particular interests in gender equality

Published in Daily Times, January 24^th 2019.