Imran going, but not gone
The flamboyant cricketer turned politician seems to have dug his own grave. His government is widely known to have blessings from the military hawks. The hawks possess a pathological responsibility to interfere in civil and political affairs.
By Saleem Samad
The opposition’s political strategy to move a ‘no-trust’ vote in the parliament against Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has fallen flat.
The opposition includes Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Pakistan Peoples Party, Muttahida Majlis–e–Amal, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (Pakistan), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Balochistan National Party (Mengal), Awami National Party, Jamhoori Wattan Party and Pakistan Muslim League (Quad) hold the magic number 172 to win the no-confidence motion.
Pakistan’s National Assembly (NA) deputy speaker blocked the motion of the opposition leaving no room to manoeuvre but to seek redress from the country’s apex court in Islamabad.
That option is down a narrow alley. Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial has taken suo moto notice of the current situation in the country following the dismissal of a no-confidence motion against Imran Khan by the NA and the subsequent dissolution of the NA by President Arif Alvi.
In the days to follow, the country’s political landscape had been abuzz with political activity as parties and individuals changed alliances and the PTI and opposition were seen trading barbs and allegations alongside intensifying efforts to ensure their success in the no-confidence contest.
The flamboyant cricketer turned politician seems to have dug his own grave. His government is widely known to have blessings from the military hawks. The hawks possess a pathological responsibility to interfere in civil and political affairs. Nothing in Pakistan is approved until vetted by the military hawks.
Pakistan is prone to military dictatorship and half of the country’s 75 years of independence has been governed by several military juntas, which has wrecked the global image of harbouring international jihadi terrorists, as well as aiding and abetting jihad war in Indian administered Kashmir.
Pakistani jihadist has also penetrated deep into Indian territory. Scares of armed Muslim militant brutal attacks in Mumbai, Delhi parliament building and other soft targets remain instilled in the mind.
Khan did not hesitate to admit that he got the divine message from the military hawks in Rawalpindi GHQ. He said the ‘establishment’ [the Pakistan military] gave him three options to neutralise the no-confidence motion in parliament. To face the no-trust confidence vote, hold fresh elections or resign from the post of prime minister, to end the ongoing political crisis.
Standing at the crossroad, Khan understands that several members of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had defected to the opposition ahead of the no-trust vote. He also understood that even if the opposition’s no-trust move failed, “We cannot run the government with such people (defectors),” Khan in an interview at ARY, a private TV channel.
His ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) coalition with minority parties has fallen apart for hundred and one reasons. Most of the PTI lawmakers and regional leaders point their fingers at Khan for the failure to run the country rocking in economic crisis, intra-party conflict and sectarianism.
The soaring price of essentials, rising living costs, and horizontal unemployment have pinched the shoes of the majority. The price hike is unbearable for ‘aam janata’ (mango people) in comparison to neighbouring countries in South Asia.
The conspiracy theory that Khan told a crowded public meeting showing a piece of paper that he has evidence to prove that the western power is behind the plot to oust him from power.
The west, he explained for hatching a conspiracy against Khan’s government after an official visit to Moscow just days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Khan when he mentions the west means the United States and blames Washington for leaning his shoulder toward Russia at the crucial juncture of the second phase of the cold war era in Europe.
On Beijing’s diplomatic advice, he was excited to meet the emerging global leader Russian President Vladimir Putin, when no other head of state had visited Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.
Pakistan had always been a trusted ally of the United States, during the ‘War On Terror’ campaign when US troops invaded Afghanistan and also their all-weather friend of China. Despite the tension, the USA hopes Pakistan would play its role in Afghanistan.
Khan claimed he also has credible information that his life is in danger but asserted that he is not afraid and will continue his fight for an independent and democratic Pakistan.
Saleem Samad, is an independent journalist, media rights defender, recipient of Ashoka Fellowship and Hellman-Hammett Award. He could be reached at <saleemsamad@hotmail.com>; Twitter @saleemsamad
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