NOW that the long-awaited PTI rally in Raiwind has been held, a number of important questions need to be asked. Foremost amongst these is what exactly has been achieved? No doubt the rally itself was a larger affair than most people were anticipating, but, given that its main purpose was to command the headlines, it cannot be said to have been successful. The announcement of a ‘final showdown’ was met with jaded applause because it was only the latest in a series of such dramatic announcements by party leader Imran Khan. If he is trying to build momentum for his electoral campaign, then sustaining it for another year and a half will prove to be a burden, especially given the prevailing discord within the party.

But there is an important fact that must be kept in mind after the follies of this style of perpetual protest have been pointed out — along with the personal nature of the attack by holding the rally near the private residence of the prime minister. That fact is that the PTI has a legitimate point in pursuing its politics of protest. There is, indeed, a dire need for accountability in the wake of the Panama Papers disclosures, and no amount of cynical acceptance of the questionable financial practices prevailing in the country should be allowed to cloud that truth. What else is the party supposed to do if all paths to pursuing the matter appear to be blocked? If no institution of state, from the tax authorities to law enforcement to the regulators, is able to raise questions about the concealed assets revealed by the Panama Papers — and allegations against the prime minister’s family stand out on this count — then should political parties simply give up their efforts? Obviously not. Since it is difficult to find a way of pursuing accountability within the system, they are not left with much choice but to protest. If such a vital matter is clouded by the distressing events on the Pak-India front, it is unfortunate but not a reason to drop the matter. Keeping that in mind, the PTI’s protest campaign, even if it is not likely to produce results and is quite often disruptive, can still be seen as justified by other opposition parties — unless, of course, the government decides to take corrective steps, and investigates the allegations to show that it is serious about addressing corruption-related concerns.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2016