The senior PPP leader and deputy speaker of the Sindh assembly, Shehla Raza’s bold revelation about a ‘silent clause’ in the now annulled National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) not only caused serious ripples in the country, but also invited a stinging reaction from within her own party .
Her remark that PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and senior party leaders were in the US to remind ‘stakeholders’ of their past ‘promises,’ reinforced the reality that Pakistan’s corrupt political elite still looks up to its foreign masters to manipulate domestic power plays.
According to this tacit, unwritten agreement, the US, UK and UAE as well as the then ISI chief (Ashfaq Pervez Kayani) had guaranteed in 2007, that no martial law would be imposed till three general elections in the country. This reflects the shameful dimension of Pakistan’s statecraft, wherein the top political leadership/ establishment invited foreign powers to meddle in our internal affairs.
That Pakistan’s top leadership of both the ruling and opposition parties are presently involved in intensive sessions with their counterparts in Washington DC and Jeddah, indicates some form of panic about any likely political upheaval or ‘change’ in coming weeks that could rock the power boat or disrupt the ‘ tacit agreement’ revealed by Shehla Raza.
If this is true, then the international guarantors will be concerned about Imran Khan and Dr. Tahir ul Qadri’s planned marches which could upset their post NRO script pre-decided for Pakistan. Does this also mean that after General Kayani’s retirement, both the PPP and PML-N leaderships may be left feeling vulnerable? Is Imran Khan under any pressure from the US or UK to go soft on Nawaz Sharif on August 14th?
And now, is Asif Zardari masterminding Memogate II, to preempt an unpredictable post-August 14th scenario? In the company of Rehman Malik, he can expect wonders; especially with Malik’s known links with the international community. The former President was lucky that the buck stopped at his crafty Ambassador in DC who was shown the door for maneuvering Memogate I against the army/ ISI after the Abbottabad operation on May 2, 2011. Now, Pakistanis have the right to know what is discussed in Jeddah and Washington DC. What fresh guarantees were demanded by top PML-N and PPP leaders from their hosts or guarantors to keep them in power by turns till 2023? Did these leaders secure Pakistan’s interests or were they more concerned about protecting their own political future?
Nawaz Sharif and Zardari may return with assurances and promises, but with Raheel Sharif in command, can any of the old or new set of international guarantors call the shots any longer? Pakistan’s ruling elite must break the begging bowl so that Pakistanis can be in charge of their own destiny. The myth of the traditional shortcut to Islamabad via Washington DC and the holy land must finally be broken.
The Army has reportedly not agreed to a full scale Azadi Parade in D-Square on August 14th as was being planned by the government. This is the right decision by the Khakis, who should in no way be seen as supporting a political strategy of the PML-N government. Hectic back channel efforts continue to unite the Azadi and Revolution marches on a common agenda. In a meeting with senior journalists a few days ago, Dr. Qadri seemed confident about good news in this respect.
As the PTI’s second tier leadership quietly plans to mobilize its million marchers, Imran Khan and confidants in his innermost circle keep the D- Square strategy a closely guarded secret. After all the election rigging hype and record turnouts at PTI’s rallies in the grueling summer heat, any form of compromise by Imran Khan related to the objectives of the Azadi March now, would mean risking his political future and widespread demoralization within his party’s ranks.
Are we witnessing the lull before the storm? As the nation bids farewell to Ramazan, Eid festivities abound. And meanwhile, D- Square sits still, quiet and peaceful.
The writer is a retired brigadier and a political / defence analyst and columnist.
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@FarooqHKhan