Leadership games

Making threats and issuing ultimatums does not seem either wise or mature for a political leader.

Imran Khan’s first steps onto the muddy playing field of big time politics raise some serious questions. In his latest statement, Imran, currently locked in the task of government formation in K-P, has issued a three-day ultimatum to the Election Commission of Pakistan to order recounting in six constituencies. After a meeting of the PTI leadership, these have been identified as NA-57 Attock, NA-110 Sialkot, NA-122 Lahore, NA-125 Lahore, NA-154 Lodhran and NA-239 Karachi. Imran has suggested the voting take place by matching thumbprints on ballot sheets to CNICs — a process that Nadra says is possible, and could help remove doubts — though the question of voter anonymity may rear its head. The PTI chief has warned if this did not happen, the PTI could formally join in the protests currently being staged by supporters on their own.



The point to be raised is this: should a political leader be making threats and issuing ultimatums at all? This does not seem either wise or mature. Also, if the PTI has not called protests, why are sit-ins being staged every day, notably in Lahore? Does Imran not have enough influence over those who back him to control their actions? If he does not, this raises all kinds of questions over his abilities as a leader. The prospect of a party head unable to control his own activists is rather worrying.

There is also a due process to follow. Re-polling has already been ordered by the ECP at around 40 polling stations in NA-250, given the obvious malpractices that took place. In other cases, tribunals are examining complaints made to them. They have 120 days to reach a verdict. Perhaps, the PTI should be waiting for this. It should also note that local and international monitors, including the Human Rights Commission Pakistan and the European Union monitoring team, have declared the 2013 polls free and fair. Given this, Imran should, perhaps, reconsider his position, avoid adopting a threatening tone and instead focus on the challenging task that now lies ahead for his party, which seems likely to head the government in K-P while also assuming the role of a key opposition at the centre.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2013.