The basic criterion for a caretaker prime minister should be one of neutrality.
KARACHI: This is with reference to the letter ‘Imran Khan and Asma Jahangir’ (January 31) written by Hasan Bin Hamza. Mr Hamza, in his over-zealousness to malign Imran Khan and exalt the virtues of Asma Jahangir has managed to twist Mr Khan’s words to suit his tirade.
Firstly, it is the democratic right of every political party to express its views and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is no different. The very same Constitution that Mr Hamza mentions so passionately should be read by him as well. Nowhere in his views does Mr Khan cast aspersions on Ms Jahangir’s stellar record as a human rights activist and a torchbearer for the supremacy of the rule of law. These assumed ‘slights’ seem to be a figment of Mr Hamza’s imagination.
The basic criterion for a caretaker prime minister should be one of neutrality and if a political party believes that an individual is not impartial enough, it can and must register its concerns and that was what Mr Khan was doing. Nowhere does he suggest that a pro-PTI caretaker prime minister be appointed. The PTI is open to discussion on various candidates and reach a solution acceptable to all as in the case of the current chief election commissioner.
Mr Khan is most vocal on the issue of extremism and how the war on terror has increased extremism in Pakistan. His statements on the issue are crystal clear and he is the only political leader to give a solution for this issue, so it would be prudent for the writer to research on it before passing uninformed statements.
It was in the presence of the most vibrant media in Pakistan that 45 per cent bogus votes were cast in the 2008 elections and a blanket NRO was passed to reprieve the corrupt. It is in the presence of an independent judiciary that the government of the day ignores ruling after ruling to facilitate its wrongdoing and it is this ‘sham’ democracy that Ms Jahangir seems to avoid criticising for reasons known best to her and Mr Hamza. So, yes it is more than fair to believe that she might not be the best candidate to facilitate and oversee the general elections. As for who the PTI is relying on to win the elections, it is the ordinary Pakistani and certainly not the Benazir Income Support Programme, laptops, and the prime minister’s discretionary funds.
Hassan Sadiq
Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd, 2013.
