Thanksgiving Day

Imran Khan’s claims of gathering 10 million people to shut down Islamabad have failed. All of Khan’s efforts, have only achieved what could have been achieved back in April 2016 when the prime minister made an offer to his accountability. At that time, the terms of reference for an inquiry commission could not be agreed between the opposition parties and the government. The only major ‘victory’ which the PTI chairman can claim is the intervention of the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case. So far so good but the matter is not going to be resolved in a few days. Therefore, the PTI leadership should not be impatient in getting a verdict in this case.

It is good that the threat of shutdown of the federal capital and possible violence and bloodshed have been averted but Khan couldn’t get what he really wanted – perhaps an Arab Spring like situation. However, he declared to convert the shutdown day into a ‘Youm e Tashakur’. His hopes for the mysterious third umpire to intervene have also met an end. His supporters too have been disappointed by the change of plans. No doubts, this time, Khan has behaved maturely. It is commendable that the case that has been swaying in uncertainty for the last eight months has been taken up by the apex court.

Zaheer Ahmed

Islamabad