ISLAMABAD: The legal battle between the PML-N and the main opposition party PTI for electoral supremacy has now intensified with the possible decision of NA-122, expected this week, but is it battle for the Punjab, where the PML-N never faced a challenger like Imran Khan or is it the battle for Pakistan if his dream of election in 2015 gets fulfilled? This week is crucial, as important political developments are expected. The Judicial Commission’s proceedings will enter a crucial phase. The verdict in NA-122 is expected, the appeal against the decision of NA-125, which has de-seated former Federal Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq, may come up for hearing. In Sindh, an order is expected on Syed Qaim Ali Shah’s seat challenged by Syed Ghous Ali Shah while the all important execution of Saulat Mirza is due on Tuesday.Thus, the week is full of high-profile political events and that could be one of the reasons why the PTI and PML-N are fighting like real political rivals. For the media, there will be lot of “masala”. What is supposed to be a legal battle between the PML-N and PTI has become a political battle, with both sides trying to gain maximum media coverage and political advantages. Some legal experts believe “court battle” is being fought more on the media. Both the PML-N and PTI seem to be fighting a battle of nerves, making tall, if not false, claims about the possible verdict in NA-122 — Imran Khan vs. Ayaz Sadiq. The “sealed” Nadra report on the vote verification has become talk of the town since the PTI’s chairman’s first press conference after meeting the chairman Nadra. After the chairman’s denial, the PML-N came out with a different version and accused Imran of making the report controversial.How come a “sealed document” was leaked to the media, which led to second round between the PTI and PML-N? If Imran claims that the Nadra report has vindicated his position about rigging, Information Minister Pervez Rasheed has advised PTI leaders to read the report carefully, which had denied any rigging in the elections. An interesting scenario is emerging with the two sides making contradictory claims on the same report, making the job of the Election Tribunal somewhat difficult. However, one thing is certain — the verdict of NA-122, Lahore could set the tone for what is coming up in the next two months.The Judicial Commission’s speedy proceeding is raising hope in the PTI’s camp and Imran Khan himself has not missed a single hearing. He knows the outcome of the JC’s finding would determine the future political discourse. As compared to Imran, the PML-N leadership looks more relaxed, as its leading players are not seen in the JC’s proceedings. Even the leaders of other political parties, which have become party and filed objections too about election-2013, are also not seen in the JC. However, one thing is certain that this is the defining moment for the PTI, while the PML-N is confident that Imran Khan and his legal team would not be able to establish, (1) organized rigging, and (2) conspiracy to rig the election and involvement of PML-N. The JC’s proceedings will enter a crucial phase today (Monday), as the three-member JC led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Nasirul Mulk will start examining the five government officials, handling the printing of ballot papers. So far, the emphasis of the PTI is on establishing that extra ballot papers were got printed from Urdu Bazaar. The other point they are trying to prove is the alleged involvement of the Returning Officers (ROs). Thus the proceedings may enter an interesting phase by the end of this week, which is also important as the possible decision of the election tribunal in NA-122 is also expected.If the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Election Tribunal in NA-125, the ET in NA-122 called for re-election and any major developments take place in JC’s proceedings, it will not be good news for the PML-N camp. On the other hand, if the SC suspends the ET decision in NA-125, rejects Imran’s appeal in NA-122 and no major breakthrough emerges this week, the PTI may face a major setback and find itself in a difficult position to recover. But, the last week certainly went in favor of PTI, which also reflected in Imran’s body language and enthusiasm.Irrespective of the outcome of these developments Imran has proved a tough challenger for Sharif, the first since late Benazir Bhutto. Sharifs remained unchallenged since 1985 except for a brief period in the Punjab, which once use to be Bhutto’s strongest base.Sharifs never looked back and during all this period they also got backing from the then Intelligence agencies, at least from 1985 to 1990. However, they soon developed differences with the establishment and their governments were twice removed. When Nawaz emerged as the main opposition leader against retired General Pervez Musharraf after October 12, 1999 coup, Imran had “one man” party as he won one seat in 2002 elections. Imran was the firm supporter of Musharraf because of his anti-Benazir and anti-Nawaz stance. But after 2003, he distanced himself from Musharraf and emerged as a strong leader in the lawyers movement in 2007. Those were the years, when Nawaz and Benazir signed the historic Charter of Democracy (CoD) in 2006. After boycott of 2006 election, Imran and his PTI emerged as a strong challenger in 2013, elections. Yet, Sharif swept the Punjab Assembly polls and Shahbaz Sharif further consolidated his position. The PPP never recovered after Benazir Bhutto’s assassination and Asif Zardari’s biggest political failure was in the Punjab. So, whether elections are held in 2015 or not, it is a decisive year for Imran’s politics and political future. He considered it as a “battle for Pakistan,” but apparently, it is a battle for the Punjab.The writer is the senior columnist and analyst of GEO, The News and Jang.
