Politics
Don’t trust people who mislead, spread rumours: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said a vested quarter continues misleading people by spreading various rumours, but there is nothing for the people to be misguided.
“Today some words are being propagated in many ways and it will continue for many days. Many people can be misled. I would like to say there is nothing to be misguided,” she said.
The premier was addressing the graduation ceremony of National Defence Course-2022 and Armed Forces War Course-2022 at Sheikh Hasina Complex of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) in Mirpur Cantonment.
Hasina said it is unfortunate for Bangladesh that when the country advances to economic progress amid a peaceful environment, all people don’t like it.
Talking about the world economic crisis induced by the war and economic sanctions, she said her government has still been able to keep Bangladesh stable.
“A quarter continues misleading the people through saying many things and injecting fear among the people,” she said.
Read: No problem with movement, but don’t go for violence: PM Hasina warns BNP
The PM said her government has been able to raise the reserve of foreign currencies to $ 48 billion during the Covid-19 period from only $ 5 billion in 2009. Then the money from the reserve was spent to procure Covid-19 vaccines and testing kits, food and others, she added.
She said her government’s goal is always to develop Bangladesh socio-economically. “We’ll continue to make socio-economic development of Bangladesh keeping its people free from terrorism, militancy, terrorism, drug and corruption. We don’t want war with anyone,” she added.
Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman framed a foreign policy where he said friendship with all, malice towards none.
“We’ve friendly relations with every country. We’re marching forward. Because, we don’t want war, rather we want peace. We witnessed the consequences of the war. If there is any problem, we solve it through negotiation,” she continued.
In this context, she mentioned solutions to maritime disputes with neighbours in a peaceful way and implementation of land boundary agreement through discussions.
Read: ‘Why did Bangladesh not see development in 29 years?’ – PM Hasina asks
The PM stressed the need for attaining economic independence. “Unless we can attain economic self-reliance, we won’t be able to uphold our independence and its spirit. So, we’ve been working to accomplish the goal," she said.
She said today Bangladesh has got the status of a developing country thanks to the continuation of an uninterrupted democratic trend and her government’s special attention paid to socio-economic development.
She put emphasis on upholding the recognition of a developing nation.
The PM said the Armed Forces stand always beside the people in any disaster and trouble. They earned public trust and confidence inside the country. The armed forces and police are getting acclamation from the United Nations for playing their roles efficiently in the peacekeeping missions in foreign lands, she added.
The PM extended her sincere thanks to the armed forces for upholding the image of the country.
She also congratulated the fresh NDC and AFWC graduates on their successful completion of their respective courses.
Later, the prime minister attended the 19th joint governing body meeting of National Defence College (NDC) and Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) as the president of the joint governing body of both institutions there.
PM Hasina reaches CTG’s Polo Ground to address enormous rally
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has arrived at the Polo Ground to address an enormous rally. This is her first public rally in Chattogram city after a gap of ten years.
The port city has been gripped by enthusiasm and fanfare, as thousands of people were rushing towards the rally venue to see and hear the Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina.
Chattogram City and North and South District AL organised the huge mass rally at the railway Polo Ground.
It is Sheikh Hasina’s second appearance at a public gathering outside Dhaka, following the rally in Jashore on November 24 – after over 27 months since the Covid-19 outbreak.
The arrival of Sheikh Hasina has energized AL leaders and activists not only in Chattogram, but also the entire southern region.
Read: AL rally in Ctg: Leaders, activists throng Polo Ground wearing colorful shirts
Hundreds of thousands thronged the rally ground in Chattogram since early morning and within a few hours, the venue was packed to the brim.
The crowd then spilled over the surrounding areas, roads and empty spaces – turning into a human sea before the arrival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the boat-shaped stage at 3:05pm.
Earlier, since morning, masses – men, women and AL supporters – were seen marching towards the venue in procession, shouting “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu”, holding placards, banners, wearing colourful T-shirts and caps, beating drums, carrying the boat symbol as well as national and party flags.
Women, in large and small groups, waited in queue at the entrance. Leaders and followers of Awami League and its associate bodies from different districts of Chattogram division and adjoining areas joined the rally with a fleet of reserved buses, pickup-trucks, motorcycles while many were seen joining the rally on foot.
Read: Ctg ready to welcome PM; AL rally this afternoon
Decorated arches and gates have been constructed on the roads with posters and banners of the Prime Minister. AL leaders set up banners, balloons, festoons and posters welcoming the party chief in various areas of the city including Kazir Deuri, Halishahar, Lalkhan Bazar, Tiger Pass, Dewan Hat, Kadamtali, New Market, Anderkilla and other areas.
Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has carried out beautification work on the roads ahead of the rally, including cleaning and painting footpaths, decorating flyovers with lights and repairing dilapidated roads in different areas.
AL having nightmares of losing power: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday alleged that the government is having nightmares of losing power since it has no confidence in the country’s people.
'We want to hold a rally at Nayapaltan peacefully on December 10. But they (AL) have lost sleep in fear of losing their power. They themselves are saying that their thrones will be overturned,” he said.
Speaking at a massive rally, the BNP leader also BNP had many rallies at Nayapaltan, even in presence of party chairperson Khaleda Zia, earlier without any chaos.
“You (AL) know you’ve committed many misdeeds. You have no confidence in people. So, you are also sacred and having nightmares that Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman are coming (to power),” he observed.
Fakhrul said the government has been carrying out various occurrences and filing false and fictitious cases against the BNP leaders and activists.
“They’ve now started staging the drama of militants. They create militants for their own needs. They also set fire to buses and indulge in arson violence for their own interests. This is the Awami League.”
As part of the party’s divisional programme, BNP’s Rajshahi city unit arranged the rally on Rajshahi Madrasa ground in the city.
No polls without caretaker govt
Fakhrul categorically said the next national election must be held under a neutral caretaker government. “Otherwise, no election will be held in the country.”
Referring to Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader’s remark that the election will be arranged as per the constitution, the BNP leader said the ruling party has repeatedly amended the constitution to hang onto power.
December 10: Naya Paltan, Paltan Maidan or somewhere else?
The BNP rally supposed to be held on 10th December in Dhaka has become a point of near conflict already. BNP wants to hold it at Naya Paltan in front of its office and the AL government insists that this won’t be allowed. With a promised crowd of a million they must go to the Paltan Maidan.
Clearly, it’s become the first significant test of will between the two parties and a foretaste of things to come. Both have declared their positions to be non-negotiable. And both parties have said that they have upped the political ante and pushed it into a conflict space. Who will blink first or will no one remain to be seen? And so what happens next?
BNP position
BNP has been holding a series of rallies all over the country and it’s going to be apexed by the Dhaka meet. In each of the meetings, the crowd has been high despite transport strikes and so on. Supporters have arrived even two or three days before. It’s been the best BNP show for years.
Read: Amid relative ease, BNP’s 8th divisional rally begins in Cumilla
BNP has said that it considers the Dhaka rally the peak and statements around December 10 have been many. The objective as stated was to “take over” the city of Dhaka so to speak and have it so full of BNP supporters that as per BNP, AL/GOB presence will be marginalized. BNP has asked its supporters from all over the country in the city so that Dhaka has more BNP supporters than all others. Expected crowd estimates have tanged from 5 lakhs to several millions. Going by the crowd size elsewhere this estimate is not wild.
So why would BNP want to go for a smaller space ? BNP has not explained yet.
AL and GOB position
AL has said that its workers will be “guarding” various points of the city and be present everywhere. They have declared that if the BNP or crowd goes out of control they will not take it too kindly and will act and let none go unpunished.
The IG of Police while participating in a talk show has been direct and said that any large BNP meeting held any place that is not sanctioned by the authorities will not be tolerated. He has sounded a warning that it may lead to a law and order situation and the police are responsible for maintaining that. He referred to the constitution as well saying meetings are subject to permission given. And no permission has been given as none have been sought.
Read: BNP can hold rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on December 10: Home Minister
There should be no doubt that the scenario is being primed up for a “showdown” between the two forces, the AL/GOB and the Opposition.
No matter what happens the situation can go chaotic. BNP sees this as political mobilization and the AL sees it as an excuse to create unrest and pile on pressure. BNP has said that there will be no election with the AL in power and it will be removed through a movement. And 10th is a final kick off of the final lap.
AL has said, it’s all BNP talk and it’s ready to confront any situation. The IG reminded that the 2014 valence cost several police lives and many disabling injuries. BNP also has a long list of grievances. So they all seem to be crashing towards a conflict.
One wonders given all the hardline positions taken, if any party can retreat or not from them now. If violence does occur, crowds spilling all over the city as BNP claims will, AL and the police won’t take it lying down. What happens next seems more appropriate than ever before.
Election battle won, real test begins for new Malaysian PM
Reformist leader Anwar Ibrahim has won a hard-fought battle to become Malaysia’s new prime minister. But working with former foes to form a unity government as a polarized nation watches will immediately test his political mettle.
There is no honeymoon period for Anwar, 75, who got straight down to work less than 24 hours after he was sworn in as the nation’s 10th leader.
National television showed Anwar clocking in Friday morning at the government administrative capital of Putrajaya. His first test will be the construction of a Cabinet and the distribution of portfolios to appease the diverse members of his unity government.
Anwar promised Monday that his Cabinet will be leaner compared to the previous, oversized administration, and said he will forego his salary as prime minister amid the country’s economic slowdown. He said new Cabinet members would be asked to cut their salaries, too.
“My main priority now is the cost of living,” he told a news conference.
Anwar pledged to work swiftly to find ways to help Malaysians struggling with rising food costs, a currency at its lowest point in over two decades and stagnating wages ahead of an expected economic slowdown next year.
Read: Long-time reformist leader Anwar sworn in as Malaysian PM
Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan, or Alliance of Hope, won 82 out of 222 seats in the Nov. 19 general election. To cobble a majority, he won support from two key rival blocs: the long-ruling National Front, which has 30 seats, and the Sarawak Parties Alliance with 23. Several smaller blocs have said they will also join.
Former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s Malay-centric National Alliance unexpectedly won 73 seats. Muhyiddin’s hard-line ally, the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party that touts Sharia, took 49 seats to become the country’s single largest party in an indication of the rise of conservative Islam.
Anwar’s victory with support from political rivals marked another “watershed moment that heralded a new era for Malaysian democracy,” said Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid, political analyst with the University of Science, Malaysia.
It came on the back of his alliance’s stunning victory in 2018 polls, which ended the National Front’s 60-year grip on power and led to the country’s first regime change since independence from Britain in 1957. But the new government crumbled after power grab that led to turmoil and saw a total of three prime ministers in four years. Anwar was in prison at the time on a sodomy charge he said was politically motivated.
Anwar fostered a conciliatory tone after his appointment, welcoming all parties to his government as long as they adhere to the basic rules of good governance, no corruption and a “Malaysia for all Malaysians.”
Read: Reformist leader Anwar close to becoming Malaysia's next PM
Analysts said the makeup of his Cabinet will provide a clearer picture of his policies going forward, as he puts flesh to bones on his campaign promises to clean up the government and heal deepening racial and religious gashes. His anti-corruption platform will be tested amid concerns that concessions will be made for some National Front leaders battling graft charges in return for their support.
An ethnic Muslim, Anwar must also earn the trust of conservative Malays, who viewed him as too liberal and opted for Muhyiddin’s right-wing bloc in the contentious election. Police have tightened security and Anwar’s supporters have been told to hold off celebrations that may provoke Islamic supporters.
In such a racially charged environment, Anwar’s aims — including replacing a decades-old affirmative action plan that gives privileges to Malays in jobs, education and housing — may be a minefield.
Anwar has assured Malays that their rights under the constitution and the position of Islam as the national religion will be protected. But he stressed that other races must not be marginalized so that the country can be united.
“Racial divide has been in existence in Malaysia since independence,” said political analyst Ahmad Fauzi.
“Anwar will come up with his own formula to rein in the problem, but thinking that he’ll be able to extinguish it is to expect the impossible from him,” he added.
Qatar World Cup: Biggest party or scam in the world?
As the world watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 – hosted by Qatar – opening ceremony full of entertainment and anticipating a whole month of high-octane football action, I had a twinge of doubt. Are the ethical and moral circumstances surrounding this latest edition of the World Cup Ok?
A couple of days back I was watching the recently released Netflix documentary, “FIFA Uncovered”. It is a documentary exposing all the dirty laundry of the governing body of the most loved and followed sport on earth. Some of the revelations put an end to any doubt of FIFA’s love for corruption. The ex-co members of FIFA deeming Qatar worthy of hosting the 2022 World Cup is the shining jewel at the top of FIFA’s corruption crown!
Qatar beat the USA and Canada to become the hosts of the 2022 World Cup, defying all logic as at the time of the voting, Qatar had next to no infrastructure worthy of hosting an event of this magnitude in comparison to their opponents vying for the same project. Despite all this, Qatar was able to “buy” their way into becoming the hosts as the documentary shows.
Read: Qatar ready to open Mideast’s first FIFA World Cup before leaders, fans
A segment shows the immense Qatari investment in French ventures following the ensuring of Michel Platini’s (former UEFA president and FIFA ex-co member) vote going for Qatar’s bid. Interestingly, Qatar’s investment in Paris Saint Germain, the biggest club in France and the club Lionel Messi plays for now, is a part of Qatar’s investment in France following Platini’s tilt.
Sports washing has long been an issue plaguing the world of sport. It’s basically a bid to use sports to improve reputations and brands damaged by wrongdoings of many kinds. What better sport than the most famous one known to mankind? So, an investment of USD 12 billion to host this World Cup was worth it. This included building stadiums, hotels and even entire cities from scratch. Qatar’s bid to sportswash their country’s image of human rights violation (let’s not get into the details) was just the latest in a long run which included the 1936 “Nazi Olympics”.
Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Things you need to know
As a football romantic, I am cynical of the credibility of the 2022 World Cup and its shenanigans, but as Morgan Freeman said during his speech at the opening ceremony in what according to me was the highlight of the evening, “What unites us here is so much greater than what divides us. How can we make it last longer?” I do hope the most emotionally stirring game in the world does take center stage amidst all this controversy, and if not anything else, we as a world community can enjoy our heroes fighting it out far away from the dirt that touched the hands of FIFA officials and celebrate the ultimate glory anyone related to football can dream of!
EC making its best effort for a level-playing field: Commissioner Habib
The Election Commission is trying its best to create a level-playing field for an inclusive election, said Election Commissioner Md Ahsan Habib Khan on Saturday.
“The Election Commission is trying to create a level-playing field with the participation of all parties. But I believe that, the level-playing field currently exists, and the willingness and participation of all political parties are needed now,” he said.
Habib said this while talking to reporters after visiting the voter enrollment activities with photographs at Nababganj High School in Chapainawabganj.
“The EC has a discussion with different political parties and any parties still can sit with us as there is no lack of sincerity among us to hold a free, fair and neutral election after creating a level-playing field,” he added.
Read: 'Gaibandha by-election was an isolated case': Election Commissioner
He also said that they are performing their duties accurately as per the nation’s constitution.
Referring to the remark of a foreign envoy, Habib said “The government and the ministry concerned will talk about it. Our duty is to implement the election process as per the constitution. To ensure it, we’ll do whatever is needed.”
Read: Election Commission won’t favour any political party: Anisur Rahman
Deputy Commissioner AKM Galiv Khan, Superintendent of Chapainawabganj Police AHM Abdur Rakib, Regional Election Officer of Rajshahi division Saiful Islam, District Election Officer Motawakkil rahman and Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Roushan Ali were present there.
Pelosi won’t seek leadership role, plans to stay in Congress
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she will not seek a leadership position in the new Congress, a pivotal realignment making way for a new generation of leaders after Democrats lost control of the House to Republicans in the midterm elections.
Pelosi announced in a spirited speech on the House floor that she will step aside after leading Democrats for nearly 20 years and in the aftermath of the brutal attack on her husband, Paul, last month in their San Francisco home.
The California Democrat, who rose to become the nation’s first woman to wield the speaker’s gavel, said she would remain in Congress as the representative from San Francisco, a position she has held for 35 years, when the new Congress convenes in January.
“Now we must move boldly into the future,” Pelosi said.
“I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress,” Pelosi said. “For me, the hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect.”
Pelosi received a standing ovation after her remarks, and lawmakers and guests one by one went up to offer her hugs, many taking selfies of a moment in history. President Joe Biden spoke with Pelosi in the morning and congratulated her on her historic tenure as speaker of the House, the White house said.
It’s an unusual choice for a party leader to stay on after withdrawing from congressional leadership but one befitting of Pelosi, who has long defied convention in pursuing power in Washington.
Pelosi recapped her career, from seeing the Capitol the first time as a young girl with her father, a former congressman and mayor, to serving as speaker alongside U.S. presidents and doing “the people’s work.”
“Every day I am in power of the majestic miracle of American democracy,” she said.
Read: Pelosi makes first public remarks since husband’s assault
Democrats cheered Pelosi as she arrived in the chamber at noon. On short notice, lawmakers filled the House, at least on the Democratic side, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer joined. The Speaker’s Gallery filled with Pelosi staff and guest. Some Republicans, including some newly-elected members, also attended.
Schumer exchanged a long hug and kiss on the cheek with the speaker shortly after she finished her speech.
Earlier, Pelosi had noted in a statement after The Associated Press called control of the chamber that, in the next Congress, House Democrats will have “strong leverage over a scant Republican majority.”
The first woman to become speaker, and the only person in decades to be twice elected to the role, she has led Democrats through consequential moments, including passage of the Affordable Care Act with President Barack Obama and the impeachments of President Donald Trump.
By announcing her decision, Pelosi could launch a domino effect in House Democratic leadership ahead of internal party elections next month as Democrats reorganize as the minority party for the new Congress.
Pelosi’s leadership team, with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Democratic Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina, has long moved as a triumvirate. Hoyer and Clyburn are also making decisions about their futures.
All now in their 80s, the three House Democratic leaders have faced restless colleagues eager for them to step aside and allow a new generation to take charge.
Democratic Reps. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Pete Aguilar of California have similarly moved as a trio, all working toward becoming the next generation of leaders. Jeffries could make history if he enters the race to become the nation’s first Black speaker of the House.
One idea circulating on Capitol Hill was that Pelosi and the others could emerge as emeritus leaders as they pass the baton to new Democrats.
Clyburn, the highest-ranking Black American in Congress, has said he has no interest in being speaker or leader of the minority at this point in his life but expects to stay in Congress next year.
“I do wish to remain at the leadership table,” Clyburn said a week after the midterms. “As to what capacity that will be, I will leave that up to our Democratic caucus.”
Hoyer has not spoken publicly of his plans.
Read: Pelosi’s Taiwan visit, China’s blockade and what next?
First elected in 1987, Pelosi has been a pivotal figure in American politics, long ridiculed by Republicans as a San Francisco liberal while steadily rising as a skilled legislator and fundraising powerhouse. Her own Democratic colleagues have intermittently appreciated but also feared her powerful brand of leadership.
Pelosi first became speaker in 2007, saying she had cracked the “marble ceiling,” after Democrats swept to power in the 2006 midterm elections in a backlash to then-President George W. Bush and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
When she was poised in 2018 to return as speaker, in the Trump era, she vowed “to show the power of the gavel.”
Pelosi has repeatedly withstood leadership challenges over the years and had suggested in 2018 she would serve four more years as leader. But she had not discussed those plans more recently.
Typically unsentimental, Pelosi let show a rare moment of emotion on the eve of the midterm elections as she held back tears discussing the grave assault on her husband of nearly 60 years.
Paul Pelosi suffered a fractured skull after an intruder broke into their home in the middle the night seeking the Democratic leader. The intruder’s question — “Where is Nancy?” — echoed the chants of the pro-Trump rioters at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as they hunted for Pelosi and tried to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s election victory over Trump.
David DePape is being held without bail on attempted murder and other charges in what authorities said was a political attack. Police said DePape broke in and woke up Paul Pelosi, and the two struggled over a hammer before DePape struck the 82-year-old on the head. DePape, 42, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of attempting to kidnap a federal official and assaulting a federal official’s family member.
Paul Pelosi was hospitalized for a week but is expected to recover, though his wife has said it will be a long haul.
At the time, Speaker Pelosi would not discuss her political plans but would only disclose that the attack on her husband would impact her decision.
Historians have noted that other consequential political figures had careers as rank-and-file members of Congress, including John Quincy Adams, the former president, who went on to serve for nearly 18 years in Congress.
Read: After Taiwan, Pelosi meets political leaders in South Korea
Khulna Sramik League leader hospitalised with serious injuries after knife attack
A Sramik League leader was hospitalised with serious injuries following a knife attack on him by unidentified men at his office in Khulna on Thursday, police said.
The injured Harunur Rashid is the convener of the new committee of the Jatiya Sramik League's Khulna city unit.
Two more people, including Member Secretary of Khulna City Sramik League Md Asaduzzaman, were also injured.
"Harun, Asaduzzaman and some Shimul were inside the Social Welfare office in the Darul Aman area beside Sonadanga kitchen market when some unidentified people stormed into the room and started stabbing Harun mercilessly with sharp weapons," Momtajul Haque, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sonadanga Model Police Station, said.
Read: Sylhet BNP politician stabbed to death
Asaduzzaman and Shimul were also injured at this time as they tried to save Harun, he added.
Harun was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital and is still not out of the woods.
Although Asaduzzaman and Shimul are no longer in precarious health, they are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
Pakistan’s politics of conspiracy will not stop
Pakistan’s history of conspiracy politics seems to go on and on. Although it has paid what is possibly the biggest price for any state-sponsored conspiracy flops – the 1971 war – its appetite for political conspiracy goes on. And in each of them, the army seems to be involved. Given the current critical phase with ex-PM Imran Khan naming the current PM, the Interior Minister, and a senior Intelligence official as the trio who planned to kill him but failed, things have worsened. Conspirators rule the roost including Imran Khan.
Imran was hit by bullets but has said that he survived because he fell down and the would-be killers thought he was dead. One person died and several were injured and Imran continues his political war from his hospital bed. He has asked his followers to continue their protests and Pakistan is under severe stress and unrest.
The “typing error” conspiracy state
In many ways, Pakistan is a product of conspiracy. The Lahore Resolution of 1940 which specifically spoke of “two states”, was amended by Jinnah arguing that the “two states” was a “typing error”. Jinnah’s act was more of a historical error resulting from political conspiracy. Jinnah’s Pakistan lasted only 25 years and though Bangladesh paid for it with blood, Pakistan paid with the ignominy of losing its half and its army’s humiliating surrender to arch-enemy India.
Read: Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan wounded in firing at anti-govt rally
In 1954, the elected government of East Pakistan was removed through a false accusation that the leaders were planning secession. In 1958, the army directly took over fully and destroyed whatever hope there was of one state. In 1968, it tried to stop the 6-points autonomy movement by falsely involving Sk. Mujib in the Agartala conspiracy case.
In 1969, the army moved in again and after the election of 1970 refused to hand over power to the elected party and instead offered the night of March 25. And the civilian politician Z.A. Bhutto was part of it too.
Post-1971
One would have thought the army had learned its lesson but the Bhutto hanging, the Gen. Zia plane blow-up, the various attempts on the lives of various leaders and the killing of Benazir Bhutto shows that a tradition of violent conspiracy has been established. Pakistan politics is about conspiracies and usually, the military is a player, directly or indirectly.
Read: Pakistan's ex-PM Imran Khan stable after shooting at anti-govt rally
Imran Khan himself is a product of the military in politics. He was replaced by Shehbaz as the ex-cricket captain no longer suited them. Now barred from holding office, he has taken to the street invoking the example of 1970 in East Pakistan which effectively ended Pakistan.
The Dawn writes in its editorial, “By going public with them ( accusations ), Mr. Khan has taken a step that he may find impossible to reverse. It seems highly unlikely that Shehbaz Sharif or Rana Sanaullah will step down on Mr. Khan’s demands, and it is improbable that the military will be interested at this time in removing a top official merely on his complaint. .. the acrimony between the state and the PTI will continue to grow. “
It goes on to blame the bungled management of the case by the Punjab police and “conflicting statements from the centre and Punjab have all added to the confusion and fuelled conspiracy theories.”
Read More: Imran Khan accuses Pak army of recreating 1971-like situation
Meanwhile, the army has called the allegations baseless and condemned Imran Khan. But that hardly matters. It has become embroiled in a crisis that may/can only end through more conspiracy and violence. The only option for Imran is the street, the only for the rest is to intern him, and for Pakistan more chaos. It’s the people who remain prisoners in the hands of its army and politicians that pay the price.