ISLAMABAD: It seems PTI Chairman Imran Khan has finally donned the mantle of an ‘opposition leader’. Speaking at the well-attended 20th foundation day of his party here on Sunday, Mr Khan presented the opposition’s collective demand for an effective judicial commission to probe allegations about the prime minister’s family and their offshore holdings, which emerged following the Panama Papers leak.

He also appeared a lot more focused during his speech, only targeting the government and the ruling family. This was in stark contrast to earlier outings, where he would target nearly all major political parties sitting in Parliament House — particularly the PPP and JUI-F.

However, belying the hype built up in the run-up to foundation day celebrations — that he would be making a momentous announcement — Mr Khan merely announced a series of anti-corruption rallies in the days to come.

He said he would be in Lahore next Sunday (May 1) to warm up party workers at the Charing Cross for a possible showdown with the PML-N government. From April 26 onwards, a special anti-corruption campaign will be launched in Sindh, he said. To many observers, it appeared as if Mr Khan was announcing another early election campaign.

Rally in Lahore on May 1; campaign to begin in Sindh tomorrow

“Mian Sahib, I am warning you, if you don’t formulate the ToRs in consultation with all opposition parties for a judicial commission headed by the chief justice, I will be left with no option but to come out on the streets,” Mr Khan declared while concluding his lengthy speech.

He said that this time, he would go to Raiwind, the residential complex belonging to the Sharif family on the outskirts of Lahore.

Remarkably, Mr Khan was so engrossed in detailing his political struggle — including the highs and the lows of his career — he forgot to make a final announcement regarding his warning to the government and had to be reminded of it.

Throughout the speech, Mr Khan challenged the prime minister’s moral authority following the implication of his children in the Panama Papers leak. “Mian Sahib, this time you cannot run away, as you have managed to in the past in various scandals,” the PTI leader said. He referred specifically to the Hudaibiya Paper Mills case, the Asghar Khan case, and the Co-operative and Mehran Bank scandals.

Accusing the Sharif family of tax evasion and money laundering, Mr Khan said: “Unless our rulers stop robbing their own people, nobody will pay taxes – that’s the reason we lack respect in the world’s eyes despite having the best human resources.”

Mr Khan was the sole speaker at the event. According to a PTI office bearer, this was pre-planned due to a lack of time. He said the party was also in touch with Pak Sarzameen Party leaders – who held their first public rally in Karachi. This was why Mustafa Kamal took the rostrum as soon as Mr Khan ended his speech. The office bearer said the arrangement helped both sides receive their due television coverage.

During his speech, Mr Khan also paid tribute to the late Sardar Soran Singh, special assistant to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, who was murdered in Buner. Mr Khan recalled how Singh’s wife and two children migrated to India, while he remained in Pakistan out of his love for the country. “I want a Pakistan where everybody has equal rights, especially for minorities, and people are not killed in the name of caste, creed and religion,” he said.

The PTI chief also promised to hold intra-party elections after dealing with the government with regards to the Panama Papers leaks.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2016