FROM Maulana Samiul Haq in KP to the ‘electables’ in Punjab, Imran Khan has consistently chosen expedient alliances over defining his party’s ideological underpinnings in order to expand the PTI’s vote bank. Yet the decision to add Aamir Liaquat to the party’s coterie, just to shore up support in Karachi, is a new low — even in the current landscape of political opportunism. Mr Liaquat, who had previously criticised the PTI, has time and again revealed that he holds no scruples in the service of ratings and personal brand-building. Over the years, his incendiary remarks, repeatedly exposed in the media and courts as unacceptable hate speech, have seen him shunted from one platform to another. For him to have now landed on the PTI’s stage is worth taking a moment to reflect on.

It might seem like a good match — a union between an attention-seeking TV anchor and a politician who seems desperate to win votes in the upcoming general elections. But as a serious political contender — someone who advertises himself as a principled politician— we must expect more of Mr Khan. We must assume that he would put country above personal gain. Yet this risible decision only exposes his lack of judgement as a leader. Such mercenary tactics might win votes, but with the base band of brothers Mr Khan is amassing, the question is: then what? What message does his party’s induction of a man who is accused of using his bully pulpit to espouse sectarian and religious bigotry send to our minorities? What should progressive voters expect from a party that supports a man who is not unwilling to engage in smear campaigns against missing rights activists? Mr Liaquat’s rhetoric has justifiably been viewed as endangering lives. For the PTI to associate itself with him paints a grim picture of its vision for a ‘naya’ Pakistan, and indicates how the most defenceless among us might be treated under its stewardship. Mr Khan must reconsider going down this route.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2018