Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has said that he would take oath as Prime Minister on August 11. Although PTI has emerged as the single largest party in the National Assembly in the July 25 polls, it is short of numbers to form its government independently. To meet the required number of votes, the PTI leadership has reportedly approached the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), PML-Quaid (PML-Q) and the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), as well as Independents.
Now, not only India, but the rest of the world will have to deal with the cricketer-turned-politician, who was called a “director's actor” by his former wife. PTI spokesman Fawad Chaudhry said after getting the backing of other political parties, and seats reserved for minorities and women, Khan's party was in a position to “comfortably” form the federal government. “We currently have the backing of 168 members, including coalition parties and the reserved seats for minorities and women and we are in talks with more independent candidates who will join us in the coming days,” he said.
Meanwhile, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party has announced they would form a grand opposition in the Parliament. Former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the parties had agreed in principle to form a strong opposition both inside and outside the Parliament. Party representatives said they will issue a white paper about alleged election rigging.
The cricket star and A-list celebrity, Khan could either use his fame and charisma to reset his country's troubled relations with the West, or simply follow the path walked over by many Pakistani leaders before him - support harsh Islamic laws and show sympathy for militant groups. However, Khan brings more stardom than any recent Pakistani leader, and the janta hopes for a better chance of a naya Pakistan. Deputy director for the South Asia Program at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, Michael Kugelman said, “Relatively few Pakistani leaders have won over the West. But Khan is familiar with operating in the international world. He already has strong name recognition. He doesn't need to be introduced.”
Oxford-educated and formerly married to a wealthy British woman, Khan is no stranger to the highest circles of the mighty West. He was even close friends with Princes Diana. However, that is the cricketer Khan, and politician Khan has visibly distanced himself from his days as a celebrity and a ladies' man. He now has sympathy for the Taliban, Pakistan's harsh blasphemy laws, and a strong, aggressive view on Kashmir. The 65 year old is already known for being dangerously accommodating of extremists.
Demand for probe over 'poll rigging'
Sharif's PML-N demanded an official probe into allegations of rigging in last week's elections. "We demand a judicial commission to probe incidents that took place on July 25," PML-N leader Khawaja Asif told reporters after a meeting of the party's Central Executive Committee in Lahore. Asif said he would publish a white paper with proofs of alleged fraud committed during the elections.
India intensifies contact with PTI
After providing a seal of approval to Pakistan elections, India has intensified contacts with Imran's PTI in the run-up to government formation. The Indian mission remains in touch with senior PTI leaders who are likely to play an important role in the new government, according to sources. While the PTI campaign was not completely devoid of anti-India rhetoric, the Indian side understands that this had more to do with the rough and tumble of Pakistan politics than any antipathy for India. Khan’s party too has been appreciative of the fact that the Indian side, contrary to the popular perception in Pakistan that the Narendra Modi government wanted Nawaz Sharif’s party to return to power, remained equidistant from all parties. “They know that the Indian mission was as much in touch with PTI as with PML-N or even with PPP,” said a source.
Imran may invite Modi to oath ceremony
Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is considering inviting leaders of SAARC countries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to his oath taking ceremony as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Though PTI is short of majority, Imran said that he would take oath as Pakistan's prime minister on August 11. A PTI leader said that they would take the final decision on inviting SAARC heads shortly. He also termed PM Modi's telephone call to Imran Khan on his victory in the 2018 elections as a welcoming sign to begin a "new chapter" in relations between the two countries.
On Monday, Modi called Imran Khan to congratulate him on his party's victory and hoped that "Pakistan and India will work to open a new chapter in bilateral ties". Imran thanked Modi for his wishes and emphasised that disputes should be resolved through dialogue. "If India's leadership is ready, we are ready to improve ties with India. If you take one step forward, we will take two steps forward," Imran had said in his victory speech.
