THE political landscape of the country is, once again, changing at a fast pace with deep repercussions for the future set-up and directions of the country. As the number of former law-makers, ticket holders and senior and mid-ranking leaders leaving the PTI has crossed the one hundred mark, seasoned politician and former aide of the PTI Chairman — Jehangir Khan Tareen — is emerging the major beneficiary of the desertions from the party. According to reports, a majority of those parting ways with the PTI, citing their differences over handling of the May 09 situation, is approaching Tareen, who is expected to announce a new party. The new party would mostly consist of electable figures and its possible electoral alliance or seat adjustment with either PML (N) or PPP would make a big difference for the two parties as far as formation of the next government is concerned.
There is another important development that will have far reaching consequences for the very survival and politics of the PTI. Speaking in a television programme, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has revealed that the PTI chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan will be tried in military courts for the events of 9 May. He accused Imran of personally carrying out the planning of the attacks on military installations before his arrest on the day, adding that there was evidence to prove the claim as well. It is not yet clear whether what the Interior Minister said was merely a political statement aimed at further pressurizing the PTI leader or there was really substantive evidence to warrant his trial by the military court. The Minister accused the PTI chief of personally orchestrating the 9 May riots, adding the planning and preparation were done on Imran Khan’s initiative and instigation. The Interior Minister’s statement, if seen in the backdrop of claims made by the Punjab Police, should be highly disturbing for the PTI leadership. The Punjab Police had claimed, citing a geo-fencing report, that Imran and his close aides allegedly coordinated efforts to storm the residence of the Lahore corps commander and other buildings. Police had detected over 400 calls made by the PTI chairman and other senior leaders to allegedly incite party workers to move towards the military officer’s residence in Lahore Cant and other sensitive public buildings. It was observed that all the rioters were in contact with the PTI top leadership, based in Zaman Park. It seems Imran Khan too is aware of the grim situation and that is why he has nominated senior leader of his party Shah Mahmood Qureshi to lead the party in case of his arrest or disqualification. As a last ditch effort, he has also unilaterally nominated a team to negotiate with the Government. There are also indications that Khan is in a defiant mood as he skipped appearance before the JIT investigating vandalism at the Lahore Corps Commander’s House, also called Jinnah House, taking plea that he be facilitated at his Zaman Park residence citing extreme threat, security concerns and ‘huge cost implication to state and myself’. The party is surely at the receiving end because of its miscalculation in reacting violently to the arrest of its Chairman in a graft case. The crackdown that followed happenings of 9 May has marginalized the party, depriving it of the organizational structure needed to offer any meaningful reaction in case of any penal action against the party leader but its popularity graph remains almost intact. However, in the given circumstances, it would be difficult for the party to award tickets, launch campaign for fresh candidates and translate the sympathy wave into electoral success of some significance. Interestingly, apart from the PPP, PML(Q), which previously faced bleak prospects when Ch Pervez Elahi opted to part ways with Ch Shujaat-led League and joined ranks with the PTI, is also likely to improve its electoral prospects as PTI deserters are also approaching the party seeking guarantees for the award of tickets in the coming elections. Ch Pervez Elahi must be remorseful of the missed opportunities but there are chances Ch Shujaat Hussain would welcome him back if he revises his choice. A clearer picture would emerge once a final decision is made by the relevant stakeholders whether or not to hold general elections in October/November this year.
