Daily Times

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is once again flexing its muscles to demonstrate street power to force rulers to quit government corridors over the Panama leaks issue. The PTI is all set to embark on its much-trumpeted Ehtasab (accountability) March towards Raiwind on September 30. The decision to protest could be connoted as ill-timed on part of the PTI given the present situation in the country. Externally, incidents of cross-border firing are threatening peace of Pakistan, while, internally, politicians like Imran Khan are planning to create drama through street protests. What will be the benefit of street protests other than causing disorder and creating a possible law and order situation in the country? It shows a lack of confidence on state institutions as democratic values have lost meanings in Pakistan. Another odd aspect of this agitation campaign is that the PTI chief is going to start the protest march without taking the majority of political parties into confidence. The solo flight of Imran Khan is proving detrimental to his political career. He needs to review his method of politics and show some sense of maturity. The PTI chief needs to demonstrate some patience for the acceptance of his demands.

During the initial years of his political career, Imran Khan had given a hope to the masses and his popularity graph spiralled high, but he has failed to maintain his political status either due to bad counsel or owning to his own impulsive nature. His tirade of abuse first against the Pakistan People’s Party leadership and now against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has not borne fruit till to date, and no change has been witnessed in system. No doubt, a system of accountability should be there so that no one could escape the clutches of law on the basis of one’s status in society. But it is the inherent flaw in the political system of the country that those who are in power consider themselves exempted from any accountability while those who are in the opposition remain in search of any means to derail the democratic set-up.

The PTI chief needs to consider all pros and cons of the protest movement. What would be the outcome of this accountability march? It would only cause further resentment among the ruling class who would most likely try to hinder these protests that might lead to more chaos. This therefore is the right time for Khan to demonstrate some responsibility. He has been provided with a chance to work in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he can practise all his ideas for bringing a positive change. If he changes the lives of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through good governance, the whole country will turn to him in the 2018 elections. He should give up his stance in the larger national interest, and resolve this matter politically.

However, the PML-N-led government, like any other government in a democratic set-up, is answerable to the people of Pakistan, and without further ado, the prime minister and his coterie of advisors should devise a mechanism to respond to all allegations of corruption in the framework of transparency and law. *