Maulana has arrived - what next?

Maulana has become an enigma. In fact, I never in my wildest dreams imagined writing and deciphering Maulana but he takes full credit for attracting such attention. What is he up to? What next? Is govt going to wait & watch, negotiate & reconcile, budge & bend, exasperate & affront? So many unanswered questions have really spiced up otherwise a politically dull environment due to toothless opposition mired deep into corruption hole. There are serious issues of governance, teetering economy (particularly alarming areas are inflation and unemployment) but there is no political force to up the ante against the govt failings.

Islamabad drawing rooms are very complacently dubbing Azadi March and Peshawar Mor sit-in as Alien Invasion. Insafians obviously (and ironically) abhor the whole activity which they did not so long ago. Geo is showing what ARY used to show not long ago. Govt big mouth bullies are showing uncharacteristic restrain after hurling volleys of nonsense at Maulana and his March. ISPR in an unnecessary engagement issued clarification on Army’s role in elections and reaffirmed its ‘support’ to the democratically elected govt, thereby, adding to Maulana’s already growing weight (both political and physical).

However dislike people may hold for Maulana, he is not a political amateur. Through a brilliant political maneuver, Maulana brought himself into the political spotlight, casting serious shadows on slapdash Bilawal and politically impotent Shahbaz Sharif. In fact, both mainstream opposition parties have been badly exposed for their inability to mobilize people as if termite of Zardari System and wisdom of father and daughter was not enough for their demise notwithstanding the fact that they were never interested to mobilize people for Maulana to steal the credit at this point in time.

I spent last few days on decoding Maulana’s politics. His political career is laden with ‘result oriented’ political posturing without breaking sweat. Willy-nilly, one has to accept that the guy is very intelligent in his own right, eloquent and logical in order to achieve his political goals and adaptive in nature i.e. he supported Taliban until they became redundant and at one point requested US Ambassador to Pakistan Ann Patterson to support for his premiership. He takes religious route to his voters’ hearts but his objectives like every other political leader are unambiguously political in nature. Though he did lose some political ground in last elections but he knows how to stay relevant. No matter how much disdain and insult is brought to his name at the social media, most of his supporters and voters don’t even use internet neither does he bother to clear the air nor does he need to. Since death of his father, he maintained and grew in political signature. He is a political reality. And in current political vacuum, he sees his chance to come to fore. He just saw an opportunity to achieve some relevance towards twilight of his life and political career and there seems no real harm in the attempt.

Such expensive march across the length and breadth of the country and current dharna is not Maulana’s political style. He has not only executed a near perfect Azadi March with unprecedented discipline and clinical precision but is also giving govt ultimatums. He has not crossed any lines yet. If he or his allies do cross the lines, they will be dealt with very severely. Although, Noon and PPP would dearly want a showdown between Maualna’s baton Army with nation’s LEAs but this wish will also not see fruition. The moment Maulana felt being offered favourable terms and conditions for a face saving exit from current situation, he will take it. But for that govt has to play very smart which could turn out be an unrealistic expectation. Finally, will he succeed in forcing IK to resign is not happening. So relax everyone, enjoy your weekend because nothing significant is coming to pass except temporary disruption in lives of Isloo dwellers.

Only Allah knows the whole Truth.