Caretaker Interior Minister Malik Habib. PHOTO: FILE
The latest piece of trouble arises from a statement, apparently, made by Caretaker Interior Minister Malik Habib Khan, a former IG Police of Balochistan, who is reported to have said that Mian Nawaz Sharif was the only ‘real leader’ in the country. This statement is clearly unwise. Ministers holding offices in the interim set-up should certainly know better than to choose between leaders or give their personal opinions on political matters in public. The purpose of the caretakers is, of course, to act as a neutral administration.
It is, therefore, hardly surprising that Malik Habib’s words caused a furore. Each contestant has the right to expect that the caretaker set-up will not, in any way, take sides. The PTI, the PPP and the MQM have suggested that the minister be removed from his post. The ECP and the president have both been asked to take action. On his part, the caretaker interior minister has clarified his statement and stressed that his job is only to provide security and conduct free and fair elections.
What we need now is for some calm to prevail and the matter should be tackled wisely. The last thing we need right now is the stirring up of more controversy in what is already a shaky scenario. In light of the caretaker interior minister’s clarification, political parties should not waste time in making any more frivolous charges and must focus on the election itself. Caretaker officials, on their part, must be extra careful in their utterances and deeds. There is no time to waste on such controversies and on replacing caretakers with elections just over a month away. Political parties will do well to take back the demand for removing the minister as this will only lead to more political uncertainty in an already precarious situation.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 10th, 2013.
COMMENTS (7)
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Why the editorial desk apprehends political uncertainty on removal of controversial minister The argument his favour is time constraint while the probability or apprehension of his bias may affect the conduct of free and fair election( he being the interior minister is in a position to influence the election process/ activities) with a bigger impact . . Let the viewers opinion count.
His statements are cleary a propagand in favour of nawqz shareef The message is clear , vote pmln No ex army, judges and police should ever be wmployed in any capacity
He should resign if he has any self respect
Sack him. He has shown very poor judgement and a lack of the necessary intellectual understanding required for the job. He may be a fine officer but he does not fulfil the job requirement for this appointment.
If action isn't taken this will lead to incentive for others to do so. Sack him and make a statement that impartial behavior will not be tolerated.
The clarification has no meaning at all. Of course, he will issue a clarification to save his job. Why do we expect and tolerate such low standards of behavior from our public officials. In any other democracy, he would have resigned by now. No matter people with 'mitti pao' mentality are successful in our system.
And the caretaker minister should apologize and promise to act impartially.