Crumbs of neutrality?

THE fears of sceptical Pakistanis are easily allayed, with the latest prime example being the stance taken by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the presidential reference hearings before the Supreme Court and its decision over the alleged rigging by the governing PTI in NA-75.

Almost all analysts, this columnist included, described the ECP stand as a watershed moment in the country's history. Some went as far as to make optimistic predictions of credible elections in the future based on the independence and courage displayed by the ECP in these two instances.

Given our history of dysfunctional and often compromised institutions, it was not surprising that so many people became upbeat about the future prospects at the first hint of a positive sign. But wouldn't it be imprudent to let our imagination run away with it?

This question has to be asked. Let me explain why. The pace at which the ECP has moved hardly inspires confidence, for example, in the former PTI leader Akbar S. Babar's complaint in what is known as the PTI foreign funding case or the dual nationality charge against Minister Faisal Vawda.

One must assess the opposition's new-found realisation that the establishment has suddenly become neutral.

Admittedly, Mr Babar's complaint may require a painstaking trawl through dozens of bank accounts, transactions and forensic accounting skills but even then the time it is taking the ECP to examine the evidence is enough to raise a brow or two.

As for Mr Vawda, not only is he one of the prime minister's favourites he also has powerful friends in the security establishment. So the fact that despite having fined him several thousand rupees for non-appearance and a prima facie open-and-shut case, the ECP has not ruled in the matter.

And now he has been cleared to run for the Senate. It is likely he'll be elected. The moment he takes oath as a member of the upper house he ceases being an MNA. Which may make the case against him infructuous, saving him from facing disqualification as a senator under Article 62-63.

All this is not to say that the recent turn of events has not shown the ECP in a positive light. Equally, it is important to see issues in perspective in order to avoid reading more into developments than merited and averting serious disappointment in the months to come.

By the same token one must assess the opposition's new-found realisation that the establishment has suddenly become neutral, and ask if this view is able...

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