The first move

Few of his close companions don’t have a completely clean slate, this will definitely test Imran's impartiality

Prime Minister Imran Khan came up with his first decision — well, in his capacity as interior minister — the day his cabinet was sworn in. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Mohammad Safdar were ordered to be put on the no-fly list and the orders were complied with forthwith. The PM’s cabinet, in its maiden huddle, also decided to take steps to bring back the ‘absconding criminals of the state’ viz, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz and Ishaq Dar as well as ‘the wealth looted by the Sharifs’.

While the move looks perfectly in line with Imran Khan’s pledge to carry out ruthless accountability, he will have to take utmost care that similar future moves should not smack of political victimisation. For that to happen, the PM must ensure that he will also treat those in his own ranks the way he is treating those in the opposition ranks. More importantly, he must not shy away from holding the powerful forces to account. The fact that a few of his close companions don’t have a completely clean slate will definitely come to test his impartiality on this particular count. It would have been better if the PM had begun the accountability at home i.e. from his own party. Keeping the interior ministry’s portfolio to himself, perhaps Imran Khan means to ensure that the FIA and NAB remain on their toes as he pursues his pledge of accountability made to the nation. But in doing so, he must be careful not to cross the thin line that would make him look like a mere political opponent.

Meanwhile, Sharif, Maryam and Safdar will celebrate Eidul Azha in Adiala jail as the Islamabad High Court deferred its decision on petitions seeking their release. This is the second time Sharif will celebrate Eid behind bars. After the October 1999 coup as well, he had to spend two Eids in detention.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd, 2018.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.