Imran Khan did everything right on the occasion of the 20th foundation day of Tehrik-i-Insaf. In his speech he outlined and narrated the evolution process of the vision that had culminated in the birth of the first major political party of the country that has no roots in patronization by the Establishment. He also reiterated his resolve to transform the dream of making Pakistan the Madina of the present times, into reality. Most importantly he did not give any ‘deadline’ to the government, as most people had been speculating. Nor did he put forth any new ideas regarding the ‘Commission’ the formation of which the PM had announced in his broadcast to the Nation, and which had unanimously been rejected by the opposition, unless consensus was reached on the terms of reference and the methodology of the formation of the Commission.
He however announced the “unleashing” of nationwide war on corruption in connection with which there would be a grand rally in Lahore next Sunday.
Meaning thereby that IK had decided to wait to see the response of those ‘others’ MNS had turned his guns against.
This I believe is a wise strategy. And I didn’t fail to congratulate Khan on it after the grand public meeting that I too had gone from Lahore to attend.
Mr Pervez Rasheed however described this strategy as a retreat by IK and a moral triumph for his boss (MNS). He was not alone in denouncing Khan in the ugliest tone. Rana Sanaullah went as far as he could. His abusive language is hard to print. Quite clearly Corruption wants to sit in judgment to condemn those who defy her— as well as to declare herself Not Guilty. The most hard-to-digest ‘defiance’ of Corruption has come from General Raheel Sharif whose resolve to root it out can be far more effective than that of IK whose only weapon of war is his vote bank. Precisely because of this reason MNS has planned to go onto offensive against all anti-corruption forces—through mobilization of his vote bank as well as a massive vilification campaign in the media through ‘paid’ columnists, analysts and ‘anti-army’ forces. Hamid Mir’s column in Daily Jang’s issue of April 25 should be read with this background in view. The known stalwart of the so-called democratic order and freedom of expression has subtly tried to convey to the people that Panama Leaks uproar could be the outcome of General Raheel Sharif’s rage at PM’s turning down of his request for extension.
