Imran Khan Locks Down Islamabad

PTI leader Imran Khan, in pursuit of stern action against Prime Minister Nawaz Shareef, having allegedly involved in corruption and illegal money trafficking, has announced locked down of the capital city Islamabad on 2 November. Isolated on political front and not being supported by opposition parties of the country, Imran Khan has taken intrepid decision to go for solo flight against the government and to bring the purported prime minister to justice.

Imran Khan had first decided to go for lock down of capital on 30 October (Sunday) but later, through consultations with party leaders extended it to 2nd November. He has put forth two demands and has announced that unless either of the demands is met, lock down shall continue. The demands are - either Nawaz Shareef shall resign from the office of premiership or he shall present himself for accountability. 

Imran Khan in close collaboration with Dr. Tahir ul Qadri of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) had fruitlessly sit in for almost four months in 2014 demanding resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Shareef and had to quit due to non-persistent policies and demands. People lost interest and allegedly his ally Tahir ul Qadri had reached to an underhand deal with the government to end the sit in.

As soon as Panama papers were made public, it acted as a catalyst for Imran Khan who was already making hue and cry at every platform against the corruption and money laundering of Shareef family. Imran Khan immediately raised his voice and demanded stern accountability against the facts mentioned in Panama papers. His demanding reaction forced Nawaz Shareef to appear on national TV to address the nation twice as well as to make a speech in the parliament and clarify the allegations. Unfortunately his justifications on all the three occasions contradicted and lacked chronology of events. This caused further disappointment among the opposition and they wanted proper investigation of the charges levied against Nawaz Shareef and his family members.

Having failed to launch a combined movement of all the opposition parties, who parted away on one pretext or the other, and on cold response of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP), PTI decided to launch a solo show near Raiwind - the farm house and residence of Nawaz Shareef in the suburbs of Lahore. The show was extraordinarily outstanding and thousands of people showed up on the call of Imran Khan against Nawaz Shareef and family. Imran Khan, during his public address at the occasion announced locking down the capital so that functioning of government could be stopped under a corrupt premier. 

To neutralize the pressure of Imran Khan's demands, two steps have been immediately taken by the treasury benches. First, SCP decided to enlist the petition of PTI, against the alleged corruption of Nawaz Shareef, for hearing by the panel of justices. Second, Speaker of the National Assembly sent the reference of disqualification of Prime Minister to ECP on the plea of hiding the facts from the Parliament, thus being ineligible to hold the office of Prime Minister under the constitution of Pakistan. Both these steps are received by people as delaying tactics and to gain time through official procedures and file work.

Imran Khan has demanded one of the two steps and has announced that lock down of Islamabad will continue till one of the two demands are fulfilled. the two demands put forth by PTI are: -

• Resignation of Nawaz Shareef from premiership.
• Nawaz Shareef to present himself for accountability.

Both these demands are criticized by opponents based on past behavior of PTI and response of accountability institutions. Major criticism is:-

Demand of Resignation

In 2014 PTI had sat in Islamabad for more than four months for the demand of resignation of Prime Minister on the charges of corruption, nepotism in governmental departments and appointments of close relatives of Shareef family on key appointments, and adverse governance. After four months, taking the plea of attack on Army Public School Peshawar by terrorists, Imran Khan decided to wind up the sit in. After the sit in, the speeches made by Imran Khan at different occasions and his reaction on several national issues dictated that he has shown his failure in demand and was found unable to justify his stance of asking the resignation of the premier. He also reversed his decision of resigning from National Assembly and he, along with all his elected members came back to assembly. Due to his turnabouts it is perceived by serious circles that he will again fail his demand and will end his protest as long as people lose interest.

Prime Minister to present himself for Accountability

The foremost question to this demand is - present before who? NAB has already stated that accountability without evidences is beyond their constitutional purview. FIA is not empowered enough to take any positive steps. Lastly SCP has already announced that the petition against Nawaz Shareef will be heard by them. So what is the forum left where Imran Khan wants Nawaz Shareef to present himself? This question remains unanswered by Imran Khan and his party so this demand, in itself, becomes equivocal. According to Imran Khan himself, all governmental functionaries and key appointment holders are loyal and trusted meek employees of Nawaz Shareef, so to what institution is he asking Nawaz Shareef to present himself for accountability? In case SCP, NAB or FIA clears Nawaz Shareef of all the charges levied on him, will Imran Khan accept the decision and accept that Nawaz Shareef was not involved in money laundering, tax evasion, plundering of public money, and purchase of foreign properties without proper money trail of his wealth?

Besides the criticism on his demands, questions are also being raised on the permanency of his stand, extent and duration of his lock down, especially when he is going for it in isolation and no other political party; even his previous allies, are supporting his call. PTI has also to cater for the alternate courses if government uses power against them and house arrests its leaders to avoid public unrest.

This, in any case is the last chance for Imran Khan to remain in politics. If he fails this time, he will leave political playground wide open to PML-N (in other words Nawaz Shareef Family) because next general elections are due in My 2018 and there will be no challenging opposition for PML-N especially in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. This will be fair enough opportunity for Nawaz Shareef and company to form governments in center as well as in said provinces.  

Making of PTI

Imran Khan of Pakistan Tehrik e Insaf (PTI)

Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) has effectively gained the position of a 3rd force in a political system of two parties in Pakistan. There are a number of factors that have played their role in bringing such a success to Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf. Some of the facts are driven by Imran Khan (born 1952) of PTI, whereas some are such ground realities of contemporary politics parties that have shifted the weight in favor of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf. Both factors are enumerated as strengths of PTI and weaknesses of other parties: -

Strengths of PTI

Personality Charisma of Imran Khan 

Imran Khan carries the legacy of his cricketing career. Pakistan won the only ICC Cricket World Cup under his captaincy and before he entered in politics he had a rapport of an hero. Besides his brilliant cricketing career, he also constructed Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital through charity. His funds collection campaign was well received by the masses and Pakistanis, not only in Pakistan but also in foreign countries supported the noble cause and gave him donations even out of the way. He is handsome, has a charming personality and carries an elegant aroma. In his youth he was a popular young man who was idealized by males and was a dream man for many women all over the world. 

His charming personality, talent in cricket and altruist activities made him a popular figure, especially in the urban areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwah, Punjab and Sindh. At early stages of political career, PTI revolved around this single factor and all the following PTI got was because of Imran Khan's personality. Mostly those who joined him were young, infamous, and ambitious people.

Personal Traits as Party Head

Although there have been some negative observations about Imran Khan in his personal capacity and his private life, his reputation as a party head/ national leader has always been upright. He is considered to be an honest, fair, and just leader whose hands are not polluted of any sort of corruption or financial embezzlement. Although his critics say that he has not been blamed of any venality because he has never been tested at any public office throughout his life. But whatever conduct he has displayed as a cricketer or as a philanthropist does suggest that given a chance, he will stand by his rapport.

PTI Targeted Youth

Since inception, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf has large following of youth in the urban areas. Imran Khan realized this fact at the onset and exploited it in the interest of his party. During early stages of his political struggle, they were only the infamous young boys and girls who supported him, worked in his cause and gave basic shape to party's edifice.

Selective Membership of Party

In the start the strength of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf was that membership in general and party offices in particular were given to only those people who were not involved in any corruption or malpractices. This brought good name to the party and raised the hopes of common people that an honest alternate leadership was being introduced. Unfortunately, as the time passed,  PTI could not stick to its basic ideology and after a successful show of power at Iqbal Park Lahore in October 2011, doors of PTI were opened for everyone. Most of the politicians who were discarded by their previous parties, charged of corruption, and rejected by people joined PTI and ultimately pocketed party's lead positions in their pockets.

Slogan of "Building New Pakistan"

Imran Khan, famous for his cricket captaincy and social works (Shaukat Khanam Cancer Hospital and Namal Educational project), gave new hope to people of Pakistan in the shape of ending long ongoing War on Terror, equal educational opportunities for all, justice at common man's door step, and corruption free social and governmental system. Collectively he gave it the name of "Building New Pakistan". People in Pakistan, who were sick and tired of terrorism, different education systems for rich and poor classes, corruption of politicians and governmental machinery, and unjust and lengthy legal system, overwhelmingly supported PTI for this hope of change.

Vibrant Methodology to Attract Public

Instead of using conventional, orthodox and formal means of addressing public gatherings and delivering scripted speeches, PTI introduced new and vibrant methods to include resonant music, emotionally high-pitched ostentatious speeches, and use of street language; which was considered as against the norms. This created excitement in youth and they were always hyped to attend such public gatherings. Such mood and atmosphere changed PTI's public gatherings into eventful festivity and a source of entertainment.

Weaknesses of Other Parties

These were not only the strengths of PTI and its leadership that rose the party to its present eminence but there are some external factors or weaknesses of other political parties that led to the success of PTI. Some of the factors are listed below: -

Pakistan Peoples' Party

Mr. Asif Zardari, co-chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party, had number of times repeated a sentence of his wife Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto (late) that Democracy was the best Revenge. To prove it right, the best revenge he took was from Pakistan Peoples Party itself. Peoples Party; in the times of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, was known as a single political force that was symbol of federation in all provinces of Pakistan. It had deep rooted influence in urban and rural areas in all the four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and FATA. Asif Zardari, through his corruption, nepotism, and sheer mismanagement of governance; during PPP's rule from 2008 to 2013, squeezed PPP countrywide and trammelled it as a political pressure group in rural areas of Sindh province only.
In 2008 General Elections, PPP won majority sympathy votes after the murder of Benazir Bhutto and formed a coalition government in center, Khyber Pakhtunkwah, Balochistan and Sindh. Peoples' Party had deep roots in farmer and workers class since its inception as its founder and former President/ Prime Minister of Pakistan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto gave socialistic philosophy and his slogan of roti (food), kapra (clothes), and makan (shelter for living) got overwhelming popularity in poor class of Pakistani masses. Zardari government from 2008 to 2013 failed to address any problems of common people. Pakistan was facing severe energy crises, terrorism and unemployment. Governmental institutions were at the verge of bankruptcy. Pakistan Railways, Pakistan International Airlines Corporation, Pakistan Steel Mills, Oil and Gas Development Company, Water and Power Development Authority, Sui Northern and Sui Southern Gas Companies, and State Bank of Pakistan had deteriorated to the extent of failure. People were subjected to social injustice, unemployment was at its prime, corruption and bribery was common in all governmental departments, hospitals and institutions of public health were in shambles, education system was counter productive. Political leaders did not address any issues of public and never tried to provide any relief or solution to the miseries of people. This worsened the social system in Pakistan while Zardari and his gang remained busy in plundering national wealth for private gains.
Due to the poor performance and apathetic approach towards resolve of peoples' concerns, a big leadership vacuum was created by PPP in most parts of the country. Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf; due to its slogan of "New Pakistan" and hope for change filled in this gap successfully.

Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz)

Leadership of PML-N to include Mian Nawaz Shareef and Mian Shahbaz Sharif were exiled during the tenure of Pervez Musharraf. They were eager to return to the country at all cost. During the military regime Nawaz Shareef of PML-N and Benazir Bhutto of PPP signed an accord named Charter of Democracy (COD). According to COD both parties reached at an agreement to safeguard democracy in Pakistan and to take measures to prevent any future adventure by military Generals to topple democratically elected governments in Pakistan. At the face of it, COD looked as an impressive document for stability of democracy but practically it proved to be a mutual agreement of protection of personal benefits of both the parties. PML-N, during Zardari regime from 2008- 2013, acted in such a way that they were known as "friendly" opposition in the Parliament. They fully cooperated with PPP in the center and ruled in Punjab. Despite few political movements and street politics against PPP government's policies, they never posed any serious opposition in the parliament. In real, both parties had decided to take turns in power for one tenure of five years with Punjab being with PML-N and rural Sindh with PPP.
Before exile, Nawaz Shareef and Shahbaz Shareef also tried to mobilize people in Punjab province under the slogan of Jaag Punjabi Jaag (O Punjabis, wake up). This was to make Punjabis stand up for their rights and to make them aware that other provinces; under the garb of being poor, were eating up national resources unjustly. This did not get major support in Punjab but created a serious wave of hatred for Punjabis in the hearts of Balochis, Pakhtuns, and Sindhis. PML-N, due to its friendly opposition and Jaag Punjabi Jaag kind of hateful approach lost its support in most parts of the country. In Punjab, PML-N ruled for 5 times but they concentrated on development of Lahore major cities of Punjab, especially Lahore: the native city of Nawaz Shareef and Shahbaz Shareef. This adversely effected their popularity in Southern and Central Punjab that comprises of poor and farmer class of people living mostly in rural areas.
Leadership of PML-N consisted of businessmen and their anti-farmer policies restricted their support to major cities like Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad only. PML-N, once posing serious threat to PPP remained confined to urban areas of Punjab only. This also favored PTI to gain popularity, especially in the Pashtun and Hazara areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwah.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)

In Urban areas of Sindh, especially in Karachi, Hyderabad and Mirpur Khas, MQM had achieved politically monopolistic majority since majority of population in these areas were Mohajirs (migrants) from India at the time of independence in 1947. Altaf Hussain, the founder leader of MQM; while being in self-exile in UK, led his party successfully till 2008. Thereafter, due to his bad health, internal politics of the party, and his alleged involvement in anti-state activities loosened his grip over the party affairs. His public telephonic addresses in the recent past put oil to the burning flame. He is also facing interrogation in UK for the charges of murder of his former colleague, Dr. Imran Farooq as well as charges of being involved in money laundering.
On MQM's petition to launch an operation in Karachi by Army was acceded to by the federal government and Sindh Rangers (a segment of Civil Armed Forces) were tasked to start a neutral but intense operation across the board to restore peace in protracted turbulent port city of Karachi. More Pakistan Rangers dug the ground realities, more criminal activities of MQM were revealed. MQM was found guilty of criminal activities to the tune of providing protection to prosecuted fugitive criminals at their headquarters called 90. Rangers also apprehended serial and target killers who confessed that they were part of MQM and had indulged in criminal murders on the orders of top MQM leadership.
In the recent past, the speeches of Altaf Hussain were so poisonous and harmful to the state that court had to put a ban on his public appearance in media, broadcast of his address or any other form of reaching out to public. This has helped PTI to appear as alternate political force in urban areas of Sindh. Although MQM has deep roots and if MQM leadership decides to carry out their political activities with minus Altaf formula accepted, they can still keep PTI out of political business in urban areas.    

Another Robbery

Despite his controversial dreams, predictions about his age to be 63 years, unsuccessful sit-in in Islamabad in 2012 for electoral reforms, and other conspiracy theories about him like "London Plan", "Planted by CIA" etc, his call was once again responded by poor people overwhelmingly. Dr. Tahir ul Qadri of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) asked his people to stand up against the corrupt system and gave a call of "peaceful agitation" against the government. His uprising started in May 2014 and in the month of June, about 100 of PAT's workers were fired upon by Punjab Police, out of which 14 laid their lives.

This brutal act of 14 state backed murders gave new blood to Dr. Tahir ul Qadri's movement and he announced to sit-in at Islamabad on 14 August 2014 (day of creation of Pakistan in 1947). His call was honoured by his allies parties like Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam) - PML (Q), Muttehada Sunni Council (United Sunni Counsil), and Majlis e Wehdat ul Muslimeen (MWM). The points for which Dr. Tahir ul Qadri launched his movement were: -

• Resignation of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Shareef (Prime Minister of Pakistan), Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Shareef (Chief Minister of Punjab Province), Federal and Provincial Ministers, and Police authorities alleged to be involved in Model Town fiasco that resulted in killing of 14 people.
• Implementation of first 40 suspended articles of the constitution that speak of providing basic facilities and rights to common people.
• Dissolution of National and Provincial Assemblies and formulation of a National Government based on technocrats and specialists of different field.
• Accountability of corruption cases of politicians and bureaucrats and punishments to the culprits under a transparent accountability process to be started by National Government.
• Free and fair elections after the accountability process which were to be contested on the basis of "participatory" democracy where common people were to be empowered and given their due share in government.

Dr. Tahir ul Qadri collaborated with Imran Khan of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) as PTI was also demanding accountability and audit of May 2013's General Elections and demanded accountability of malpractices during the elections. Before starting his long march he addressed a big gathering at his headquarters in Model Town Lahore and had announced that public may shoot him or Imran Khan, whosoever withdraws the call of Islamabad sit-in without having achieved their goals.

At the start of sit-in on night 14-15 August 2014, both the parties were successful in arranging big gatherings and the sit-in started with full zeal and fervour. After a few days when they thought that their sit-in opposite to Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad will have no impact in pressurizing the government, both PTI and PAT decided to move to red zone of Islamabad (an area around constitution avenue with President House, Parliament Building, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Foreign Office Building, Prime Minister Secretariat, Pakistan Secretariat (offices of different federal ministries), Pakistan Television and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Buildings astride the road. This move forward was against the terms and code of conduct of the sit-in mutually agreed between these two parties and the government. Government once again used force against the people of both parties who violated the code of conduct. This resulted in more losses of lives and injuries to common people whereas the leaders remained mounted in bullet proof vehicles.

During 69 days' longest ever sit-in the modern history, people suffered all kinds of natural and governmental atrocities for the noble cause and empowerment of commoners. They faced the sever summers, bore heavy monsoon rains, wind storms and spent nights in the open sky. People were of the view that this time their leader was determined and will not leave them bewildered. The sit-in gave hope to the nation that those sitting at D-Square at Islamabad were fighting for their rights. Common men from all over the country gave their full moral support to these people sitting in the sit-in. Political workers from other parties like Pakistan Peoples' Party and even ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) had their sympathies towards the workers of PAT. Electronic media of Pakistan provided their full assistance and support to Dr. Tahir ul Qadri but on the night of 21-22 Oct 2014, Dr. Tahir ul Qadri once again betrayed the people of Pakistan and called off his sit-in at Islamabad.

His call was proven a false alarm and he, after having caused so much loss to national economy, lives of people, having made people suffer all sorts of hazards of heat, rains, hail storms etc, and having endangered their lives, Dr. Tahir ul Qadri, once again twisted and chewed his own words. Changed his stance and without having achieved a single goal of his sit-in called it off, leaving following questions unanswered: -

• Did Prime Minister, Chief Minister or any other nominated culprits of Model Town Debacle resign?
• Have people been empowered through implementation of first 40 articles of the constitution of Pakistan?
• Have the assemblies been dissolved and a national government formed?
• Should Dr. Tahir ul Qadri be shot dead as per his own statement that anyone withdrawing from sit-in should be shot?
• Have the families of martyrs of Model Town and Islamabad been provided with justice or shall the blame of their killings be shifted to Dr. Tahir ul Qadri?
• Will people (other than his own religious followers who are brainwashed thoroughly) trust him again and act on his call in future?
• Will PAT gain popularity vote in any of the forthcoming elections and come into power to change the corrupt system through parliamentary means?
• Has Dr. Tahir ul Qadri not breached his trustworthiness and acceptance in general public.

Dharnas - What Next

Irrespective of the conspiracy theories of "London Plan" and "Script Writer", credit goes to PTI - Pakistan Tehrik e Insaf (Pakistan Justice Movement) and PAT - Pakistan Awami Tehrik (Peoples' Movement of Pakistan) for the longest sit-in in the history of Pakistan. Starting 14th Aug 2014, its been their 55th day on 24 Sep that they are present at D Square right in front of the Parliament House in Islamabad.

These protestors are out for so long demanding purification of corrupt political and electoral system in Pakistan which is a legitimate demand. There can be difference of opinion; on the method they have adopted, for demanding such reforms but no one can deny the fact that there is a dire need of these reforms to curb the dynastic, corrupt, elitist, and non-participatory "democracy" in the country.

Both the sit-ins are led by their respective leaders i.e., Imran Khan of PTI and Dr. Tahir ul Qadri of PAT who have been successful in bringing handsome amount of crowds with them for the sit-ins. Although basic demands of both the parties are different in nature as PTI is demanding electoral reforms for conduct of free and fair elections in future and PAT is of the view to rehash the entire political and administrative system in the country to provide justice and basic human rights to people in the light of first 40 articles of the constitution yet their immediate demands are similar in nature. These demands include: -

• Resignation of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Shareef - Both PTI and PAT are of the view that no free and fair trial of corruption in election can be held as long as Mr. Nawaz Sharif is in the chair.
• Resignation of Chief Minister of Punjab along with other federal and provincial ministers as they are involved in Model Town debacle where minimum 14 people died due to brutal use of state police allegedly under direct orders from the Chief Minister.
• Dissolution of National and all Provincial Assemblies as these consist of members who do not fulfil the basic criteria of being just and truthful as is required vide article 62 and 63 of the constitution.
• Holding of re-elections in the country after electoral reforms (in case of PTI's demand) and after reforms in the entire democratic system under a national government of technocrats (as demanded by PAT).

Both leaders have used all their cards by adopting following possible measures: -

• Public processions and addresses to big gatherings.
• Long march towards Islamabad and sit-in near Aabpara.
• Move to D Square near Parliament building (although initially both had given to understand that they will not enter in the sensitive areas).
• Move towards Presidency and Prime Minister House which also resulted in heaviest use of tear gas by the law enforcing agencies, killing minimum 3 and injuring about 30 people.

Government, on the other hand has its own reasons for rejecting the demands. Basic plea taken by the government is that they have been elected by majority votes and have the backing of 11 different parties (allies of government as well as opposition parties) in the parliament so why shall they accept the demands of few thousand people.

This dilemma has put the situation in stalemate and no one is ready to withdraw from their stances from both the sides. This has become the game of waiting and war of nerves. Government knows that as the time passes, these sit-ins will die their own death because of following factors: -

•  People in sit-in belong to lower, lower middle and middle class and they cannot leave their jobs/ businesses and other economic activities for very long time.
• By every passing day the weather in Islamabad is getting colder and as it gets severer, people will tend to move back to their native places.
• It will become a routine activity and all the adventurism and charisma in the personalities of Imran Khan and Dr Tahir ul Qadri will become part of routine and result into boredom.
• There will be no meat left in the speeches of leaders as they will not have nothing new to offer to their supporters.
• Government's propaganda will come into play that both these leaders have diverted the attention of the nation from other important issues like floods in Kashmir, Punjab and Sindh, and operation in North Waziristan by Pakistan Army.

PTI and PAT have put everything in their kitty on stakes and if they return without their demands been accepted, their political fame and future political activism will end forever. They, therefore have to look for some solid measures where they can exert pressure on government and force them to resign. As they have already exercised their options of big processions, addresses to masses present in the processions as well as listening to them live through the courtesy of electronic media, peaceful sit-ins as well as violent display of force, they must devise some other means to pressurize the government. 

The extremist method can be raid over the sensitive national buildings like Parliament House, Presidency and Pakistan Secretariat etc but this will entail brutal action by state law enforcing agencies and may also engage Pakistan Army (which will be the worst action).

A better and peaceful step they can take is spreading their sit-ins in other cities and block the economical and routine social cycle in the country. That will force the government to review its policy about dealing with these protesting forces. The only issue is that how will these parties manage to bring more people on the roads and sit there for few weeks. If they can manage that force of general public, that is the only viable peaceful option left with PTI and PAT.