Imran’s focus

The politics over the Panama leaks continued on Sunday. All eyes were on the PTI’s rally in Islamabad where PTI Chairman Imran Khan was set to muster support against the sitting government over the Panama leaks. Set amidst a background of ‘Go Nawaz Go’ and the PTI’s traditional dressed-up crowd, Imran made his case around two key demands. One, that it is Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s family that should be the target of any investigation into the Panama leaks. Two, that any investigation commission should have the support of an international forensic auditor. The references to the now public ‘umpire’ were made again as Imran made it clear that he would settle for nothing other than the resignation of PM Sharif. He also urged members of the ruling PML-N to start a revolt. We have been here before during the dharna of 2014 when Imran blew hot air before settling for a compromise after a drawn-out battle.

Even now, Imran appears to be basing his rhetoric on the understanding that his followers are ignorant of basic questions – such as what the PTI chairman’s criticism of the current ToRs really is. Is there anything in the current ToRs that does not allow for forensic auditing? How are they obstructing accountability? No doubt, the PML-N government’s dithering and its confused response over the Panama leaks issue have not helped the situation. But with the government having accepted the opposition demand of asking the chief justice to form and lead the inquiry commission, the rally seemed to be a futile affair only aiming at upping the pressure on the current government. Imran’s aim, like before, seems to be system breakdown – not accountability. Yes, the PM’s family must be one of the top priorities of any commission into the Panama leaks – but, again, what is there in the current ToRs that does not allow the commission to ensure this is the case if the CJ takes up the issue? Imran’s argument does not appear to be about the well-entrenched menace of corruption at all. He is not supporting across-the-board accountability that has found much mention in the media after the army chief’s call for it. Imran Khan’s focus seems to be on just one person. In the overall situation, it is also not clear what the term ‘opposition’ might mean when uncertainty surrounds the issue of how the PPP is going to finally act. The PTI also appears undecided on its earlier announcement of a protest outside the Raiwind home of the Sharifs. With the government already under pressure, this seems to be another case of the PTI upping the ante, seemingly unnecessarily.