PM’s complaints against the system unjustified, illogical

Prime Minister Imran Khan responded to questions from the public for a fifth time on Sunday during "Aap Ka Wazir-e-Azam, Aap Kay Saath."   

People took up their problems of varying natures and were informed in turn about the steps the government is taking to address them.

But, interestingly, the session was dominated by the prime minister’s complaints against the opposition parties’ leaders, especially the Sharifs, and flaws of the existing judicial system.   

He warned the opposition that he would be more dangerous for them if ousted from power because till now he was only watching their gimmicks from his office.

“You will not find a place to hide if I took to the streets…I will just need to nudge people and others will be running to London as well to join the ones who already are there.”  

It’s not clear who poses a threat to the prime minister at this juncture. The establishment, it is believed, is still fully backing him and the PTI government is surviving mainly because of this factor.

Otherwise, opposition parties have been discussing for long the possibility of ousting the prime minister through a vote of no-confidence. The difference in the number of seats of the PTI, its allies and the opposition parties is very small and only a nod from the powers that be may turn the tables.  

It’s because of the establishment’s consistent support that former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said in a recent TV programme that a no-trust motion would be tabled once the ‘crutches’ are removed. ‘Crutches’ means nothing but the establishment’s support.  

Everyone knows that no move against the government will succeed as long as it is supported by the establishment, the recent statement by the spokesman of an institution that the army should be kept out of politics, notwithstanding.

The prime minister’s lack of willingness to meet with PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, who is also the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, is contrary to the attitude of the country’s chief executive.

Under the constitution, he is supposed to have coordination with the opposition leader to devise policies on a number of issues. But he says any flexibility would amount to compromising over the Sharif family's crimes.

"I get called out for not meeting Shehbaz as he is the leader of the opposition. I see him [Shehbaz] as the nation's criminal.”  

The prime minister has been levelling allegations against the Sharifs for long. But so far, he has not been able to prove them in courts of law. If there is a problem with the judicial system, it is the duty of the PTI government to set it right.  

It doesn’t sound logical for the prime minister to shift the responsibility to the system – and that too after 40 months in power. During such a long period the Tehreek-i-Insaf government should have polished the system so well that nobody could ever raise any doubt about its credibility.

The prime minister’s complaint that Shehbaz delivers lengthy speeches in parliament without caring to respond to the corruption cases pending against him in courts may be well based but it doesn’t absolve the government of its duty to prove its case beyond an iota of doubt.

In his interaction with the public PM Imran Khan was equally critical of Mian Nawaz Sharif, who has been in London for more than two years on health grounds. Claiming that the three-time former premier would never come back to the country but he continues to float rumours about cutting a deal (with the establishment) to keep his party intact.  

The prime minister called on the judiciary to be “merciful to the people” and not to support “mafia and cartels”.

He would not have had to raise this point if the government had introduced judicial reforms in consultation with the opposition parties. Had the judicial system been improved, many important cases would have been decided by now.  

The rosy picture painted by the prime minister about the state of the economy, fall in inflation and the better days in future will be nothing more than claims unless they bring relief to the people.