Tales of miracles are only found in folklores. But in the game of politics, less miracles and more of the scientific engineering is relied upon. The simple scientific formula utilized in the recent by-elections that decided the fate of Punjab showed that two plus two equals five.
It may be that in this world of mere coincidences, the fundamental principles of Algebra that transform the unknown into the true have been settled, or the magic of Imran Khan’s personality has started to speak loudly. All the graphs, numbers, and indexes of popularity have been forgotten in the past 3 months, but what has happened is somewhere beyond popularity.
In the by-elections of Punjab, the PML-N has been wiped out like just like the People’s Party in Punjab years ago. It would be a mere coincidence that in three months, the PML-N now stands exactly at the same podium where Tehreek-e-Insaf stood in terms of narrative and performance. Now PML-N may say that these were not their constituencies, but the truth is that the party which had won consecutive by-elections until a few months ago finally lost this battle between life and death.
An unusual event was also staged on May 22 when Imran Khan suddenly decided to go on a long march, which was either a trap or backing, it can be judged from the result.
On the other hand, according to sources from the corridors of power, Shahbaz Sharif had prepared to inform the nation about his resignation and go for general elections on the eve of May 23. But, when Imran Khan announced a long march, N-League supremo Nawaz Sharif not only restrained Shahbaz Sharif from a farewell speech but advised him to stand firm.
Is it just a coincidence that the ‘guaranteed’ hands of ensuring continuity in return for unpopular decisions were pulled expediently or willingly? And is it also just a coincidence that Nawaz Sharif’s resistance narrative was taken by Imran Khan and overnight he sealed the victory over the anti-establishment narrative and now the center of power is being attacked from the right and the left.
In this world of coincidences, Imran Khan is the only one who is lucky because till yesterday all praise of the powerful circles, from the ISI chief to the army chief, and from the chief justice to the former chief was on his side.
However, even after stepping down from the throne, it was not felt even for a day that he was ever out of this game of power. Not only that, but he can still stand up and accuse anyone whenever he want, wherever he want, and it feels like he is still the center of power and will be the real establishment in the days to come.
The recent attacks on the Chief Election Commissioner could be the preparation for another propaganda to increase pressure in the foreign funding case, if the decision is in his favor, it will be a mere coincidence. However, it seems that the last wall in his way is the Chief Election Commissioner, after which the country might witness the same incompetency, arrogance, political victimization, religious bigotry, media blackouts, and a team of thugs to plunder the nation once again.
Imran Khan is moving towards his goals armed with his best media and social media propaganda weapons and there is no doubt that the institutions are now under severe pressure. Just before the bi-elections, Imran had addressed the freedom of press seminar and ensured that ‘nothing will be done against the establishment if he is installed back’ by describing the ‘generals’ Uturn as good’.
It is now possible that Imran Khan will achieve the goal of becoming the Prime Minister with a two-thirds majority before the 29th of November and also appoint the army chief of his choice, while the difficult economic decisions of the ruling coalition will continue to sabotage their election hopes.
In democratic states, the prime minister is elected, but in Watan-i-Aziz, the prime minister is appointed to elect the army chief and Imran Khan is now well aware of this power. Until the latest news comes, the ruling coalition has insisted on completing the constitutional term, now God knows whose stars are on the way out and whose are on the rise. We will just keep an eye on the events.
