Legislation brings some relief from Panama Leaks hysteria

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ISLAMABAD: With most happening part of the current session of the National Assembly laden with allegations and counters on Panama Leaks, Wednesday’s proceedings witnessed some legislation too.

A relief, at last, from the hysteria created by Panama Papers that had engulfed the entire political spectrum for the last 10-15 days, without any break. Unlimited rumor mongering, doomsday scenarios were painted at their best by a few politicians and some of our new channel anchors having perfected this art by now.  

Wednesday was however one of those rare days in the National Assembly (NA) when the top-notch legislators were not around to re-emphasize that Panama Leaks is the ‘biggest issue’ or ‘defining moment’ that out nation is facing in the present times. 

A short respite from back to back speeches cum sermons, interview, statements of PTI Chief Imran Khan (IK) and Senate Opposition Leader Aitzaz Ahsan. As a last splashing item of the series of headlines Aitzaz Ahsan churned out till this day, he wanted to give a spin to Premier Sharif’s London visit too. 

The ace Senator in his anti-Sharif tirade wanted everyone to believe that the premier is very desperate to meet PPP supreme Asif Zardari in London to thwart conspiracies against his rule. 

This was not end of story. In the same breath, Aitzaz advised the party leadership to refrain itself from such a meeting. For sure, Aitzaz provided fuel to rumor mills for at least 24 hours until Wednesday evening when Interior Minister Ch Nisar came with a bang, making it amply clear that no such meeting was on the cards, in the pipeline, or even conceived. 

With the Senate in session from April 14, we expect some repeat performance from Aitzaz Sahib to keep the momentum going. But Wednesday was a different day in the NA. With heavyweight ministers from the treasury front benches and PTI’s plotters and planners away, it was business as usual, perhaps for rest of days of current session of the Lower House of Parliament. 

One could see the experienced PTI duo – Dr Shireen Mazari and Dr Arif Alvi – emphasizing, interjecting at crucial movements to give their input on electronic crimes bill. Sidelined from key party positions, the duo makes it to the National Assembly regularly.

Perhaps, Jahangir Khan Tareen (JKT) will follow suit, after having been neutralized in party elections by Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s relentless efforts. But look at JKT’s influence with Bani Gala. One day he disassociates himself from the party elections, the next day party chief halts the whole elections process. Like IK, JKT seldom turns up in the Assembly. 

His critics in the PTI fold say the man with deep pockets feels awkward with his seating in the third row of opposition benches. As always, he wants to be very close to the ears of party chief -- everywhere, all the time.  Dr Mazari and Arif Alvi are a different ball game. So like always, on Wednesday they were focused on legislation which later on resulted in the  passage of much need electronic crimes bill through an almost consensus. 

With most amendments from the PTI, PPP and MQM ranks accommodated in the bill, it was a mission accomplished for minister Anusha Rehman. But all this was not without some noisy scenes as Awais Leghari tried to point out lacunas in the recommendations of the Standing Committee. And Dr Shireen Mazari didn’t waste time in criticizing the treasury as the lady minister approached the Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah for his support to get the bill through the passage process. 

Capt Safdar, son-in-law of the premier and chairman of the said committee, was not a happy man. He commands a substantial support of treasury back benchers, as Hamza Shahbaz seldom appears in such sessions. 

As Safdar spoke to clarify, he could overhear Dr Mazari’s strong voice notes audible from a 40-50 feet distance. Safdar agitated strongly, even directly inquiring from Dr Mazari whether she had called him a supporter of late Mumtaz Qadri. 

As she didn’t want to enter into a controversy, Dr Mazari denied having said any such word. But Safdar was unstoppable. And during his discourse, he even pointed out presence of Maulana Fazlur Rehman who sat at the far end of treasury front benches smiling meaningfully.

Maulana, a political foe of PTI in KP province, is a deterrence PML-N holds in the times of crisis. Such a mini crisis of low intensity is at hand in the wake of IK’s threat to stage a sit-in at Raiwind Farm House of the Sharifs. 

Ground realities however suggest that IK’s Panama Leaks related Dharna, if it takes place, might fizzle out much early than anticipated. The desperation in the PTI camp is evident as it finds little support from political spectrum at large. 

If they choose Dr Qadri’s support, like in 2014, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) would then participate half-heartedly, as was evident in the past. Rest of the Barelvi-Sunni segments, that were present in last sit-in too, could be handy. These groups are also influenced by the Chaudhrys of Gujrat with whom the PTI is in consultation these days. 

Interestingly, the names of PML-Q top leaders also figure in Panama Leaks. But the change of direction of the proposed sit-in from seat of power at D-Chowk to Raiwind Lahore has already dampened spirits of PTI’s big time plotters and planners. They know, all time power military establishment is not ready to give its nod for such an adventure at this juncture when crucial anti-terror operation are taking place, and Pak-China Economic Corridor is fast entering implementation stage. 

Post-April 24 period would be of interest. Until then, a fierce competition to rule media waves is on.  In the Panama Leaks days, PTI Chief Imran Khan stole the limelight as usual. He was followed closely by none other than Senate Opposition Leader Aitzaz Ahsan. Some would put Aitzaz Sahib performance very handy for the PPP badly bogged down by governance blues in the Sindh province. All this at a time when former President Asif Ali Zardari is going through months-long self exile of sorts, unsure about his home coming plans. And many of his loyalist bureaucrats, legislators, party men are facing corruption cases. 

The only relief for PPP at the moment is the lifting of travel ban on model Ayan Ali – through ‘untiring’ work of top PPP lawyers like Latif Khosa and Farooq H. Naik. So bent and focused was this lawyer duo in the famous model’s case that it seemed top most priority of sorts. More such successes could be handy, politically and otherwise. More good omens in the pipeline?