Today for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) all roads lead to Rawalpindi, where the physically injured and politically battered Imran Khan will be addressing his supporters at Rehmanabad.
Leading convoys from different parts of the country, senior politicians associated with the PTI are reiterating the purpose of Long March, “to show some stability and press for early elections,” says Fawad Chaudhry.
Imran Khan has reportedly said that the Haqeeqi Azadi movement will not end today (November 26), but wil continue until justice is dispensed with.
But what’s left for him to say to his people? With the appointment of General Asim Munir as the army chief two days ago, he will have to reset his narrative of “neutrality” and “early elections”. Who’ll be the “black sheep” today? Whose neutrality will be the subject of the speech?
Or are surprises in store? Will he be tamed and pacified, a friend than foe, ready to mend ways with chors and dakus, and move on towards political and economic stability of the country?
Knowing the belligerent Khan, the usual fist fighting will continue. “He will have to opt for some face-saving to find a way out of his defeat. He will not be using his ‘my way or no way’ approach,” says Najam Sethi. “Khan will take credit for getting the army chief of his choice appointed on the basis of seniority.”
We know Khan did not want General Asim Munir to become the army chief because of previous differences with him. His appointment is a ‘packaged deal’ come about with efforts of all, including General Bajwa.
Sethi forecasts that Imran Khan’s next move will be to get back into the parliament and have a say in fixing the next election date and forming the caretaker government, “he is going to Rawalpindi for some entertainment.”
The PTI’s Long March is unlikely to create any ripples in the political landscape of Pakistan. The army chief has been assigned. The first hurdle toward amicable relations between the stakeholders has been crossed. It is now time for Imran Khan to take a break and seriously recalibrate his narrative.
Imran will try to pressurise the COAS so he has to try to please him. It’s a classic narcissist tactic to make him his narc bitch. Expect a textbook performance.