In a crisis

A serious issue was handled with criminal negligence exposing govt's inability at handling official affairs

Yes, we are in a crisis. Not threatening though, the crisis is serious – given its political, legal and strategic dimensions. The issue of an extension in the tenure of the army chief has landed in the Supreme Court in an unprecedented development. The top judge, heading a three-member bench, has questioned the government on the mode of re-appointment of the country’s top soldier for a period of three years. A serious issue was handled with criminal negligence and carelessness by the incumbent government – something that exposes its inability at handling official affairs, even those of serious nature, and speaks of its incompetence, immaturity and inexperience at the helm. To the CJP, the petition against the extension falls within the ambit of public interest litigation even though the petitioner wanted to back out. The hearing thus continues into the third day today – with all the likelihood that the apex court will settle the matter the same day while laying down principles in the context.

Well, the extension petition is not the only notable current affair involving the bigwigs. Much more is happening on the political chessboard. Prime Minister Imran Khan has come out in support of Pervez Musharraf – with success. The same Imran Khan who, as opposition leader, had been the bitterest critic of the former military dictator and who had been, until recently, calling for bringing him to book over treason charges. A petition filed by Imran Khan’s interior ministry has succeeded in getting an order from the Islamabad High Court that bars a special court from announcing its verdict in the long-drawn high treason case against Musharraf just at the eleventh hour. And then there is the nine-party opposition alliance lurking around in a bid to add to the pressure on a government that can clearly be seen making compromises, and that is struggling with issues ranging from the economy to governance and legislation.

The overall situation only adds to the political uncertainty that has been prevailing in the country for years and years and that has distracted the successive governments from focusing on issues of core concern for the country and the people, like the economy, international diplomacy and internal and external security. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th, 2019.

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