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CM goes against his public proclamations

By Intikhab Amir 2013-10-30
PESHAWAR, Oct 29: Chief minister Pervez Khattak has raised people`s expectations so much that whenever he goes against his public proclamations, it compromises a popular political thought more than his administration`s credibility.

His media team has been busy for months to create Mr Khattak`s persona as a `Derwaish` (saint) chief minister. Mr Khattak`s leader Imran Khan concurred on at least one occasion.

The chief minister has been presented as somebody different than his predecessors, least interested in enjoying pump and show that comes with the office he is holding. Those who see him from a distance have been made to believe that he is someone who does not believe in moving around with big security details, in a large entourage, with hooters on while moving around in a cavalcade.

He seldom misses an opportunity to boast about himself and his personal choices when it comes to personal security.

However, it appears, after becoming the chief minister he has lost some control, giving in to those who decide his security arrangements.

Mr Khattak was on a private visit to attend a dinner at The Mall, Peshawar Cantonment, on Monday night. The feast was arranged by a Peshawar member of the provincial assembly belonging to his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

The security cordon thrown outside the premises was detailed with many policemen deployed close to the premises from 5pm.

It was a display of security arrangements that do not match Mr Khattak`s public pronouncements or his being a Derwaish if one strictly goes by the exact meaning of the word.

It also makes one to think how much is enough? Making security arrangements for a chief minister during his private engagements is not something new in our political culture and the past practices. But, since we have beentold that PTI stands for bringing about a real change, we feel compelled to ask how to bring about a real change? `They issue statements only for public consumption, in reality they are not different, said a policeman posted at The Mall to keep an eye on the surroundings during the chief minister`s presence and prior to his arrival.

A police team from district Dera Ismail Khan, that arrived here to provide security cover to health department staff during the recent polio vaccination campaign in Peshawar from Oct 22, last, was entrusted with the responsibility to keep vigil in and around the premises hosting the chief minister.

`I don`t know how much time we are going to be here. I know this fact that we were brought here at 5:25pm and it is 10:30pm and we are standing where we were asked to stand,` said a young police constable in Urdu.

It is not only a question of compromising a popular public perspective that people believe in with obsession. It is not only about the credibility of a political force that has given a hope to a people, who feel having been let down by civil and military rulers alike.

It is also a question of providing security to a government functionary during his private engagements at a cost of public exchequer. It costs several man-hours to the provincial police, traffic police, and plain-clothed law enforcers. It is also about creating a potential target for extremists as around a dozen official vehicles were parked outside the premises hosting the chief minister.The chief minister`s staff, when contacted, was able to confirm his presence at the dinner. It was also confirmed that there`s not a serious security threat to the chief minister`s person.

What makes a ruler different and more praiseworthy than his successors? It is about his manners, personal charisma, credibility, or his ability to make his people believe in his words? All are important, but more important is respecting public perception of a political force that makes no bones about bringing about a real change.