Trouble in paradise

Around six months after taking over, rifts have started to appear between members of the ruling party as each tries to assert control.

The latest episode has seen the Information Minister, Fawad Chaudhry, and the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Political Affairs, Naeemul Haque, post cryptic messages in an online cold war.

The situation, brewing over the appointment of the managing director of the state-run Pakistan Television (PTV), has descended to the point where the federal minister has considered accepting a change in his portfolio rather than take dictation from some “unelected people” sitting at the Prime Minister Office.

Chaudhry is of the opinion that the appointment of the present managing director of PTV was not in line with the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of former MD Ataul Haq Qasmi. He has also decried the substantial salary paid to the MD even as the state-run broadcaster struggles to pay pensions of retired employees.

The interior minister has been clashing with the PTV chief for much of the past month. First, slamming him for what he called his poor performance and then most recently calling for a criminal probe into alleged massive payouts from the broadcaster’s accounts.

Apparently, the incumbent MD has been receiving backing from some government officials and even some amongst the ruling parties. While there have been some spats and skirmishes, the situation appears close to boiling over.

The fault, though, once again appears to come directly from the top. Prime Minister Imran Khan has fostered too many cooks who are spoiling a pot of broth. Apart from Chaudhry, the prime minister has Iftikhar Durrani and former PTV MD Yousaf Baig Mirza as his special assistants on media affairs.

It is symptomatic of the mismanagement that Imran and the PTI have displayed in their short time at the helm and is sadly becoming a trademark of sorts which threatens to not only ruin state institutions but also impact the delicate harmony of his government.

Imran must step forth and sort out the issues before the cracks become too wide to repair.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 26^th, 2019.

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