Adding to the crisis
To keep any semblance of order in the country, the Constitution needs to be adhered to and followed.
The PTI’s stance is not encouraging.PHOTO: SAMEER RAZZAQ/FILE
The crisis engulfing the country holds everyone in suspense. But this is also the time that the actions, words and intentions of key political figures will be noted and remembered for the future. While most political leaders have shied away from saying too much, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has come forward with his perspective. It is not an encouraging one.
Lashing out once more against corruption, Imran Khan has demanded that President Asif Ali Zardari immediately step down, describing him as the source of virtually all evil in the country. We do not know quite how he has reached this sweeping conclusion. But it is uncertain how President Zardari’s exit would solve anything. It is also an irony that those who stand for principle, or at least claim that they do — seem to have no hesitation in violating it. To keep any semblance of order in the country, the Constitution needs to be adhered to and followed. This document lays down a clear methodology to dismiss a president. If President Zardari is to go, this process needs to be followed. If it is not, we risk further chaos. The same holds true as far as Imran Khan’s call for an immediate announcement of a polling date goes. There is a laid down method for this and it makes little sense to ignore this method. And as for the PTI complaints about ‘pre-poll rigging’ and the Election Commission (ECP), it should be noted that the ECP has been constituted as per the law. The law cannot simply be set aside to serve particular needs.
The mainstream political parties at present hold a pivotal place in the current scenario. The PTI’s stance is not encouraging. The party has, of course, been invited by Tahirul Qadri to join his sit-in. The response is being watched. But what we need right now is a willingness to follow the law of the land, to stick firmly to the clauses it lays down and thus prove that our parties are willing to rise above their own interests and follow laid down rules rather than following routes designed by themselves, and for themselves.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2013.
Lashing out once more against corruption, Imran Khan has demanded that President Asif Ali Zardari immediately step down, describing him as the source of virtually all evil in the country. We do not know quite how he has reached this sweeping conclusion. But it is uncertain how President Zardari’s exit would solve anything. It is also an irony that those who stand for principle, or at least claim that they do — seem to have no hesitation in violating it. To keep any semblance of order in the country, the Constitution needs to be adhered to and followed. This document lays down a clear methodology to dismiss a president. If President Zardari is to go, this process needs to be followed. If it is not, we risk further chaos. The same holds true as far as Imran Khan’s call for an immediate announcement of a polling date goes. There is a laid down method for this and it makes little sense to ignore this method. And as for the PTI complaints about ‘pre-poll rigging’ and the Election Commission (ECP), it should be noted that the ECP has been constituted as per the law. The law cannot simply be set aside to serve particular needs.
The mainstream political parties at present hold a pivotal place in the current scenario. The PTI’s stance is not encouraging. The party has, of course, been invited by Tahirul Qadri to join his sit-in. The response is being watched. But what we need right now is a willingness to follow the law of the land, to stick firmly to the clauses it lays down and thus prove that our parties are willing to rise above their own interests and follow laid down rules rather than following routes designed by themselves, and for themselves.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2013.