POLITICAL temperature is rising once again in the backdrop of the decision of the PTI to give a ‘do or die’ call to its workers for the release of its jailed leader Imran Khan, prompting a warning from Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah that when they (PTI) speak about wearing shrouds and funeral prayers, they are giving a free hand to law-enforcers to launch a crackdown against them. He emphasized that instead of threatening to march towards Islamabad and staging a sit-in there, the party should hold a “democratic and peaceful” protest or rally for the fulfilment of its demands.
The party is in the midst of internal brain-storming on the issue of giving a final call for protest but given its past track record there are apprehensions that its founding Chairman might proceed ahead with the plan, which, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gundapur said will be unfolded in November i.e. within the next fortnight. The resolve of the PTI that the demonstration will not end until the fulfilment of demands which include the release of Imran Khan and the “restoration of judicial independence” and determination of the Government to impose writ of the state means a prolonged tension, which the country can ill afford at this critical juncture. The path of confrontation is unlikely to yield any political benefit either to the party or the Government but it is certain that such a scenario will harm economic interests of the country and create unnecessary problems for the common man. The party must bear in mind that May 09 protests could not ease things for the party or its leader and instead added to their miseries besides a loss of Rs. 2 billion to national and private assets. There is an impression that the judiciary is somewhat sympathetic to the party but it will be difficult to defend ‘do or die’ protest in courts as it has no legal cover. In case the KP Government lends active support to such a protest then this policy might have its own implications. Sanity demands the two sides should engage in a constructive dialogue to sort out differences in a spirit of give and take.
