Clamping down upon rebellion

Khattak played the bad cop but managed to send a message out loud and clear

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has stepped into dangerous territory. Despite outplaying all other parties in the local government elections, it was not able to keep its activists, mainstream leaders and councillor-elects from messing around with high command directives during the nazim and naib nazim elections.

After a few days of whispering and nodding, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak came out in the open against all voices of dissent. In an unprecedented tone he announced to issue show-cause notices to around 56 leaders who violated party discipline. The list not only included grass-roots activists but also roped in a former PTI Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa president, a sitting senator and MPA and dozens of district and tehsil councillors. He also announced an offensive against a dissident leader who sought refuge in the ranks of PTI’s arch-enemy – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and got hold of a district nazim seat.

As the press conference echoed across the province, many regarded it as a step in the right direction. Those accused of violation were left hot under the collar. While some emerged from the dark to provide counter-narratives and explanations, a sentiment common amongst them all was a mutual animosity towards Khattak. By playing the bad cop the CM did send a message out loud and clear and also augmented his own hardships.

Beyond doubt the action was vital for exerting discipline and control on the expanding party. These steps will not only make the political process more transparent but also strengthen the system. It is a pity that no other national-level political force moved beyond words against horse-trading that is embedded within our political culture.

All eyes on them

Such action has added to the burden on all other parties which are well aware of what went on within their ranks while the ballots for nazims were being cast. Similar violations were reported in all parties, especially Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl. Party workers refusing to follow Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s directives also harmed the interests of the tripartite alliance that was counting on the ally for so much. Awami National Party suffered directly in one district and over three tehsils. Its own Karak councillor violated party rulings. Similarly, for reasons best known to her, PML-N Swabi woman councillor supported the PTI candidate in tehsil nazim elections.

Jamaat-e-Islami did manage to keep clear of the mess to a great extent. On May 30, its position in the LG councils was not good enough. It managed to do well in both districts of Dir and also in Chitral and Buner. Making the best use of the weaknesses of its opponents, JI was able to push its nazims and naib nazims through in four districts and around two dozen tehsils and towns.

Moral compass

Some of the party’s leaders are clearly unimpressed at this show of will against nepotism. Minister for Revenue Ali Amin Gandapur on Friday said, “Any qualified person can be nominated.” Defending his brother’s nomination for a tehsil nazim seat, Ali said, “He is good enough.” Similarly, MPA Yasin Khalil was also quick to clarify his position and offered his own version of what was termed as violation of discipline by provincial bigwigs.

PTI’s shortcomings are assuming centre-stage with Khattak in the limelight. Despite winning a handsome number of seats in Haripur, Mardan, Abbottabad, Buner, Kohat and Mansehra, PTI was not able to capitalise on the numbers in any of these areas. The government is facing a dearth of competitive officials in wake of the much-trumpeted action for accountability. All this and more leaves Khattak with fewer options to choose from. A little more haste and things would go astray in  no time.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th,  2015.