Political tension and national interest

Arms, petrol bombs and other illegal items were reported to have been recovered during the police operation in Zaman Park in the name of eradicating no-go area. The government says that the police had a warrant to search Imran Khan's residence. On the other hand, PTI leaders say that this action was taken at the behest of the leadership of Muslim League-Nawaz when no one was present at home except Imran Khan's wife and relatives. The workers, who were for routine work, were arrested by the police as terrorists. Personal animosity and antagonism are deepening in the politics of Pakistan. PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said the operation was part of the agenda set by PML-N chief organiser Maryam Nawaz and aimed at arresting Mr Khan.

“A woman, who has never even contested a councillor’s election is setting the government’s agenda,” he said while referring to Ms Sharif’s Friday presser where she asserted that Mr Khan should be arrested. He claimed the operation was in violation of the court orders and created an environment of anarchy across the country as PTI workers were pressuring the leadership to announce country-wide protests. The PTI leader asked party workers to be ready for the final showdown and await Mr Khan’s instructions to launch the protests. Mr Chaudhry added that party leaders were going to Islamabad with Mr Khan but returned mid-way after the news of the “cowardly attack”. The whole nation was suffering due to unprecedented inflation but the government’s only objective was to arrest the PTI chairman, he added.

One party comes to power and does not rely on the political process to eliminate the popular vote bank and power of its opposing party. Political leaders are rendered powerless by the use of state power. In every country of the world, there are differences between political parties. The differences are not expressed by damaging each other's person and property, but by proving their superiority at the level of policy. It is a pity that the country has failed miserably in foreign affairs. In the last ten months, friendly countries have also avoided assistance. The government has fulfilled all the conditions for the agreement with the IMF, but the international organization has delayed the next installment of the loan. Due to the delay in disbursement of loans by the IMF, other financial institutions are also holding their hands.

?It seems that the government has no plan to reform the ruined economy. After Muftah Ismail, Ishaq Dar has failed. In these circumstances, if the country is engulfed in political chaos and turmoil, the government can justify that it did not get a favorable environment for work. This is the justification that PDM is giving. A strange behavior was seen in the last few decades. When the road near to Bilawal House in Karachi was added to Bilawal House for security purposes, the local population protested. Despite this protest, this road could not be completed. Jati Umrah, Model Town and Defense residences were simultaneously given the status of Chief Minister's House and several times as Prime Minister's House. The expenditure was paid from the government treasury. How much of a contradiction in the decisions of the rulers can be estimated from the fact that for decades, the PML-N has been occupying the park and the back road near H Block Model Town, but it is the same. In Model Town, an armed operation was carried out on the installation of a barrier by the Minhaj-ul-Quran movement, in which 14 people were martyred.

If encroachments were erected on Imran Khan's residence by occupying government land, then they should have ended. It would have been better if Imran Khan had removed these obstacles himself. As a former prime minister and head of a major party, his decision should have been unhindered compliance with court orders. He could have been brought before the court if there were security concerns. Subsequent arrests are a mishandling of the whole matter. Strong accountability is necessary. If the government is retaliating, Tehreek-e-Insaf has peaceful protest and legal avenues. It should be remembered that three days ago, when the communication system between Tehreek-e-Insaf and the police was established, it was appreciated.

Encroachment on the houses of all VIPs should be stopped and if they have security problems, the government should cooperate with them. No act of lawlessness can be called right. Imran Khan is appearing in the courts. He is ready to face the law and has submitted an affidavit in the court. The government should avoid unnecessary provocative actions to remove the impression that its decisions are made by anti-Imran circles. They are being held on request. The time for elections in the country is near. The government does not want to hold elections on the demand of Imran Khan, but the constitution of Pakistan prohibits that elections should be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the assembly. The hope of improvement that was created by the arrest of protestors and other administrative measures may be damaged by any political adventure. Imran Khan undoubtedly has the support of a large number of people. A behavior based on this would be tantamount to inciting riots in the country. The parties need to exercise restraint and assess the seriousness of the situation.