Playing the ‘Ayesha’ card

Gulalai and Ahad are considered to be the politically timed pawns the PTI and the PML-N have played against each other

FAISALABAD: Reacting to accusations with accusations isn’t new to Pakistani politics; mudslinging is one age-old practice and tactic of Pakistani politicians aimed at political defeat of their opponent. Unusual in the Ayesha Gulalai affair is the timing in which events have unfolded. The PM was ousted on July 28th 2017, four days following the Supreme Court’s verdict Ayesha Gulalai exited PTI on August 1st 2017 accusing party leader Imran Khan of harassment . Within another four days the self-proclaimed wife of PML-N’s MNA Hamza Shehbaz, Ayesha Ahad accused her father-in-law and Chief Minister of Punjab Shehbaz Sharif of sexual harassment.

Gulalai and Ahad are considered to be the politically timed pawns that the PTI and the PML-N have played against each other. However, the fact that Ahad has previously accused Hamza of threatening her on account of denial to disapprove of their matrimonial relation negates the common understanding to the matter. More important is the strategy the two parties are going to adopt to deal with the issue which is yet to be seen. Will the new prime minister form a commission to conduct an inquiry against Imran Khan or the PML-N will withdraw its Gulalai card, considering that the same shall be demanded against Hamza too?

Gulalai has come forward determined than ever, she not only refused to resign from her seat in the National Assembly, but also made a speech during the assembly’s session on August 7th and was applauded and supported by almost all the other political parties. On the other hand, Ahad is being backed by PTI only, considering the political backing the two are receiving Gulalai and her supporters are likely to have an upper hand over the PTI and Ahad, however, the matter is likely to remain unresolved unless investigations are conducted for both.

Rameez Obaid

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2017.

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