PTI-PPP closeness against Nawaz is on fragile basis

ISLAMABAD: The apparent passing ‘bonhomie’ between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on the question of inquiry into offshore companies will vanish into thin air, when Imran Khan’s squad will concentrate on the interior region of Sindh in its five-day “eliminate corruption, save Pakistan” movement, beginning on Tuesday.

However, in a damage-control exercise beforehand, senior PTI stalwart Shah Mehmood Qureshi has assured leader of opposition Syed Khurshid Shah, and Bilawal “through a friend” that neither he nor any of his colleagues including Imran Khan would attack the PPP on account of its alleged corruption as they had been doing in the past.

“The anti-corruption drive is not targeting individuals and is being launched in Sindh by chance. The PTI is reluctant to participate in any propaganda exercise. This message has also been communicated to Bilawal through a friend,” Qureshi was quoted as saying.

Regardless of the response of Khurshid Shah, Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Information Maula Bakhsh Chandio had sharply reacted minutes after Imran Khan announced at his Islamabad rally Sunday to kick-start his anti-corruption movement in Sindh on Tuesday. 

“Imran Khan is following the dictation of political actors. He can satiate his desire by taking a visit to Sindh. We will welcome him. He has every right to visit Sindh and the PPP will have no apprehension. We don’t know who diverted his direction from Raiwind to Sindh. It seems his air journey with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan did the trick,” the adviser said.

The ostensible existing ‘working relationship’ between the PPP and PTI will continue only if Imran Khan and other PTI leaders will absolutely avoid mention of the PPP even in passing in the context of corruption. If they did so, it would be clear that an understanding was reached between them to the effect. The moment they digressed from such path, the PPP would quickly strongly react as per its standard practice.

Asked about the PTI’s anti-corruption campaign, Qureshi said the people of Sindh have been in the forefront in every political movement that is their democratic right. “We want to mobilize them against corruption. This is the one-point agenda of the drive.”

However, the full truth is that the PTI aspires to make inroads in Sindh using its present movement but such an effort will be obviously resisted by the PPP that considers the province as its exclusive realm and brooks no interference.

As the Panama Papers leaks surfaced, it appeared that the PPP and PTI are totally on the same page. But this seeming collaboration suddenly stood nailed when the PPP rejected the PTI demands including seeking Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation, staging a sit-in in front of his Raiwind residence and agitation. This PPP response forced the PTI moderate its stand on its demands.

For a change, the PTI is now talking about discussing with all the opposition parties a joint strategy on preparing their own Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the judicial commission that will inquire into the offshore companies of politicians and businessmen. This was a clear departure from its previous policy of solo flight. However, the PTI can revert to its earlier approach anytime when its opinion will not be accepted by others.

The elaborate programme of “eliminate corruption, save Pakistan” movement will cover almost the entire interior Sindh. Shah Mehmood Qureshi will mainly lead it and will be joined by Imran Khan at one stage.

The march will start from Gharoo on Tuesday and pass through Thatta, Sajwal, Golarchi, Badin and Shadipali. Next day, it will cover Mirpur Khas, Sindhri, Sanghar, Shadabpur and Sakrand. On its third day, the march will pass through Nawabshah, Moro, Naushero Feroz, Mehrabpur, Ranipur and Khairpur. On April 29, the march will go through Larkana, Qambar, Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Pano Aqil, Ghotki and Kamo Shaheed. Thus, the entire interior of Sindh will be covered.

All these areas are the political bastion of the PPP for decades. Even in 2013 when its stock was exceedingly low, it had fared well in the general elections, leaving its opponents far behind. In last year’s local council polls, its performance was even better compared to that of the parliamentary polls, as it captured all the key positions of the local governments.