Has PTI accepted the status quo?

The return of Imran Khan and other legislators of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to the National and the provincial assemblies is certainly a victory for democracy and the political
process.
From the government to the opposition, all could take credit for the historic return, but for Imran it was a difficult and controversial decision.Three political parties — the JUI-F, ANP and MQM — will raise questions about the PTI’s return and create hue and cry. They may also question the legality of their “resignations.” Thus, it would not be an easy return for Imran.
The situation in the Sindh Assembly would be more embarrassing for the Speaker Aga Siraj Durrani, who had officially accepted the resignations of four of PTI members on the floor of the House, but withheld the notification.It would also be interesting to see how Imran will face the Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq, whose election he had challenged and the case is pending with the election tribunal.
But, Imran and his party could rightly claim that once their major demand — constitution of Judicial Commission — had been accepted and an ordinance issued, there was no justification for them not to return to the assemblies and withdraw their resignations.
Imran will be making a speech in the joint session on Yemen, as the PTI has already opposed sending troops to fight in Yemen.The PTI will be getting support from some other opposition parties including the ANP, the MQM and the JUI-F on the issue. He may also explain and defend his case of returning to the assembly where he may face opposition from the same parties. However, what he and some PTI leaders like Jehangir Tareen would find it difficult to defend is the question of “status quo” politics.
Only yesterday in Geo’s “Naya Pakistan,” Tareen described the PTI as the only party against the status quo and considered 2013 elections as rigged. Now, they have returned to the same assemblies, which came as a result of 2013 elections and under the same Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
There were some serious contradictions in the PTI stance from the day one. (1) They had termed the present ECP illegal and demanded a new ECP. (2) They accepted the results of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and the Senate election under the same ECP, but were not ready to accept the results of the National Assembly, the Punjab Assembly and the Sindh Assembly. (3) Prior to the decision of Judicial Commission, they had already decided to participate in Karachi’s by-election of NA-246. Thus, the PTI leaders had taken the decision in principle weeks before about their return.
The decision was expected once the two sides reached an agreement on the formation of Judicial Commission to probe the alleged rigging in 2013 elections. However, the only PTI leader, who truly followed the decision, went to the National Assembly and got his resignation accepted, was PTI’s former president Javed Hashmi. Hats off to him!
As for those PTI MNAs who refused to follow the party decision and did not resign, I believe the party took the right decision. After all, you have to follow the party’s discipline, even if it wrong.
Now, the PTI can play an important role in the National Assembly and the Senate, as a leading opposition party by bringing major “electoral reforms.”But, Imran and the PTI will be waiting for the outcome of the Judicial Commission, with the hope that it would declare election 2013 as rigged and fresh elections would be held.
“2015 is the election year,” Imran said, as he announced his return to the assemblies. His optimism is based on his own fact sheet according to which at least 70 lac fake votes were cast. Imran and his party need to place the evidence before the JC.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan is expected to constitute the Judicial Commission, comprising three SC Judges, which will then look into the Terms of Reference (TORs). Another complication, which could arise, is the final outcome if the JC declared the NA elections as rigged. Will the chief ministers also dissolve the provincial assemblies?
Former president and the PPP co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has already raised a serious question about the TORs during his speech in Larkana, but his appeal that Imran should come to the assembly and become part of the opposition has been accepted by Imran.
All this has made the election of NA-246, Karachi, more interesting and exciting, as Imran is coming to Karachi this week to give a new boost to the campaign of his candidate Imran Ismail.
He continued his verbal attack on the MQM and Altaf Hussain, feeding more heat to election campaign.It appears that prior to Imran’s visit to Karachi, the administration is likely to deploy Rangers in the constituency with full authorities.
A meeting at the commissioner’s office was held between the PTI and MQM leaders and both agreed in pursuing a peaceful election campaign.Anyway, the return of Imran and his MNAs and MPAs should be welcomed with the hope that they will not take any such decision in haste.
The writer is the senior analyst and columnist of GEO, The News and Jang.