ODI debacle
THE year of the One-day International World Cup could not have gotten off to a better start for Pakistan — a victory against New Zealand, in which Pakistan hardly broke sweat in a run chase with their batters in total control. But after the first of the three ODIs, things spiralled out of control. A batting collapse in the face of spin saw the tourists level the series by winning the second ODI. New Zealand clinched the series after Glenn Phillips’ explosive knock undid Pakistan in the decider. With the World Cup in India this year, the 2-1 series reverse has raised questions about the side, which continues to struggle in ODIs and Tests. Victory in the first match had raised hopes — Pakistan could have gone to the top of ODI rankings with a series sweep, but the results that followed show that Babar Azam’s men have work to do ahead of the World Cup — although, in its defence, the team continues to be without pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi and ace leg-spinner and vice-captain Shadab Khan.
Shadab’s absence meant that recalled batter Shan Masood, who had last played an ODI in 2019, was elevated to vice-captaincy by the interim set-up led by Najam Sethi that is managing PCB’s affairs — a baffling decision considering that T20 vice-captain Rizwan was in the ODI squad. Shan didn’t make the playing XI in the opening two games; when he got his chance in the third, the opener fell without scoring. Still, Pakistan posted 280 thanks to Fakhar Zaman’s century. Phillips, though, snatched the game away from Pakistan, intensifying scrutiny of star batter Babar’s all-format captaincy. The PCB is to rule on that in March. A change in the team’s leadership, though, could result in a showdown between PCB and the players, most of whom are loyal to Babar. With the World Cup so near, Pakistan must ask themselves why they let matches slip from winning positions.
Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2023
Peshawar attack
THE fact that terrorists belonging to the banned TTP are getting more audacious was illustrated by the late-night attack targeting the Sarband police station in the outskirts of Peshawar. A number of militants attacked the facility, located close to Khyber tribal district. Local police officers bravely put up resistance and, as reported, gave chase to the militants, but three personnel, including a DSP were martyred in the attack. Far too many law enforcers have laid down their lives in recent months while combating the TTP militants whose attacks are becoming more and more organised and lethal with time. The incident comes on the heels of the siege of the Bannu CTD centre last month, when TTP militants detained in the facility held law enforcers hostage, and SSG commandos had to be deployed to control the situation. The troubling reality is that the terrorists are delivering on their vow to target security personnel, and while earlier attacks focused on the outlying parts of the province, the militants are now finding the confidence to strike in the provincial capital itself.
The need of the hour is for different organs of the state to close ranks and neutralise the terrorist threat through unity. Sadly, political dissonance is affecting the fight against terrorism, and is unnecessarily putting the lives of the security personnel in harm’s way. Following the Peshawar attack, the federal interior minister took a jibe at the KP chief minister, saying he was too “focused on dissolving the assembly”. Both the opposition and the government must realise that their struggle for power is gravely affecting the counterterrorism effort, and that this is no time for political bickering. What is needed is immediate focus on the terrorist threat, before the militants are emboldened further and gain the confidence to launch a wider campaign against the country. For this, the federal government, the provinces and the military must all be on the same page. Unfortunately, this is far from the case. Securing the regions most vulnerable to the terrorist threat — KP and Balochistan — must be the first priority, while through kinetic action and intelligence-based operations the militant infrastructure across Pakistan must be dismantled. If we ignore this existential threat, a ruthless enemy will take full advantage of our mistakes and show no mercy. It is time wiser counsel prevailed over the nation’s political class.
Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2023
Election talk
An outcome that had seemed improbable till just a few days ago has started looking increasingly possible after the PML-Q and PTI’s unlikely coup in the Punjab Assembly. The nation is again abuzz with speculation over whether we may once more be heading towards an early general election. The PML-N continues to put up a brave face and insist that it is ‘ready’ to contest by-elections in both KP and Punjab.
However, its choices are not as straightforward as they may seem. One aspect is the logic and logistics of holding early elections for all but a third of the seats usually contested in a general election. Secondly, if elections are held in two provinces only, they can give the PTI an even greater advantage if it gains larger majorities in both assemblies through the by-elections. That would put the PTI in a stronger position to queer the field against the PDM whenever elections for the remaining legislatures are held.
The choices are not great for the PDM, but capitulation is, understandably, also out of the question. This will only mean more political instability in the months ahead unless a middle ground can be found. Given that he has taken a strategic lead, former prime minister Imran Khan should consider declaring his innings and softening his confrontational stance. If he really thinks himself worthy and ready to lead Pakistan for another tenure, this is the time to prove it.
In this respect, it is encouraging to note PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry’s proposal to the federal government to sit together and work out a consensus on the electoral framework. Given that the invitation was extended from Mr Khan’s residence, it would appear that it has his sanction. The PML-N is looking for something similar before it can call elections. One of its leaders, Talal Chaudhry, told a Middle East publication on Friday that the party wanted “the rules of the game to be decided before the elections; otherwise, nobody would accept the results of the polls”.
It may be difficult for both sides to sit opposite each other, given how bitter their differences are, but this may be their last chance to do so. Political feuds can and should be set aside if it means giving the country a desperately needed fresh start.
Given the enormity of the challenges that lie in our immediate future, Pakistan cannot afford for the political class to continue bickering and undermining policy measures that are becoming inevitable. Instability cannot continue beyond the general elections whenever they are held. Nobody wins if things are to stay as they are. To avoid that, there needs to be a consensus on how the elections are to be held and when so that their results are acceptable to all who contest them.
Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2023