The judicial process against members of the political parties that participated in the violent protest on August 30 and 31 this year has culminated in arrest warrants for numerous individuals who have so far remained unaccountable. On Wednesday an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad issued arrest warrants for Imran Khan, Tahirul Qadri, Sheikh Rashid, Pervez Khattak, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Raheeq Abbasi and others for allegedly inciting a crowd protesting in front of parliament in the Red Zone to attack government buildings and law enforcement personnel. A case was lodged with the ATC by the Islamabad police soon after the events in August for attempted murder, obstruction of justice and damaging government property among other charges. Justice Syed Kausar Abbas Zaidi issued non-bailable arrest warrants after hearing from the police that the parties were unresponsive to requests for cooperation in the investigation. At a rally in Nankana Sahib on Wednesday night, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan told the crowd that he welcomed the news and warned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that he would “have to pay a heavy price” for arresting him. PTI spokesperson Shireen Mazari added that Khan had done nothing wrong and the party would not allow police to arrest him. Awami Muslim League (AML) leader and PTI ally Sheikh Rashid issued a threat of his own at the rally, urging people to “mobilise, kill, burn, besiege and force these thieves and corrupt rulers from power”.
In light of these and previous calls to arms by the PTI and its allies, none of the parties involved should have complaints about the judicial process. With Qadri reconciled to elections and currently abroad, the government had no need to upset the applecart but a case was registered and taken to its logical conclusion. Given the judiciary’s independent stance in recent years, it is unlikely the government was able to influence the ATC to issue the warrants. If anything, the question arises why the warrants took so long, since the televised record of events during August 30 and 31 clearly shows Khan and his allies exhorting protestors to attack the police and storm government buildings. They will still have their day in court to prove their innocence. The case presents political difficulties for the government in the face of violent threats from the accused that prima facie provide proof of their culpability. While Khan and his ilk have little love for parliament, the government worked hard to try and bring them back into the fold. The arrest warrants present it with a tricky problem. Legally it is obliged to act upon them immediately, but with Khan surrounded by his followers, any attempt could cause more harm than good. More pointedly, in light of his failing protest movement, Khan clearly welcomes being arrested and while he may feel differently after a night in a Pakistani jail, for the moment he is keen for the publicity and a shot in the arm for his flagging agitation an arrest might bring. Against this political backdrop is the real threat that Khan and his allies present to the peace and stability of the country. Sheikh Rashid’s call for loot maar (looting and killing) is consistent with his political roots; he is notorious in Rawalpindi for having gangs of professional hooligans at his call. More was expected from the PTI but with its recent statements the party has abandoned any semblance of a peaceful protest movement. It seems that irrespective of a commission being formed to investigate alleged rigging (which apparently only occurred in the provinces the PTI lost), Khan is desperate to play his gamble to the bitter end. The November 30 deadline is virtually impossible to meet as it depends on the judiciary’s response. Khan said any proposed commission should forward its findings to the Chief Election Commissioner, but his party has simultaneously rejected all nominees for the post. Like the sit-in, this may end up worse for him than the government, but it is his followers that will pay the price. PTI supporters may put themselves in serious danger to satisfy the ego of a political malcontent. Khan is proving daily that he is not interested in ending the crisis he created. The country can only hope he stops before more people are hurt.
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