Imran Khan seems to have hit the campaign trail. After being ousted, the PTI chairman has embarked on a mass contact campaign across the country against the new government and calling for swift elections. Shehbaz Sharif, meanwhile, seems in no hurry and has hinted at electoral reforms first.
Imran Khan’s first rally after his ouster in Peshawar drew large crowds despite not being widely covered by the mainstream media. His mood was rather different as he sharply criticized state institutions for removing him and sought an explanation from the judiciary for opening courts at midnight on the day he was ousted.
As an opposition leader, Imran Khan can be even more destructive for the Sharif government. He has an immaculate record and is known for 126 days-long protest against election rigging in 2014. The only question remains whether he will be able to convince state institutions to yield in to his demand of holding new elections.
The ideal thing for the PTI would be wait and see Shehbaz Sharif’s government falter and the coalition fall apart. The PPP is already undecided on joining the federal cabinet and is instead eyeing other key posts- notably the NA Speaker, president and Chairman Senate. The MQM, whose votes were decisive in ousting Imran Khan, wants to be rewarded by a great influence in Karachi’s affairs. This will be more visibly as the LG elections nears in Sindh.
The government has already backtracked on its decisions to raise salaries for public employees. The populist move by Sharif after being elected was certain to backfire amid the dire economic situation. The masses should now brace for a staggering increase in petrol prices which will certainly bring a new wave of inflation.
Shehbaz Sharif is back to his traditional hands-on approach and style of government. He has ordered offices to open early and ended two weekly offs. However, previous governments have made such moves after coming to power but have seldom succeeded.
Sharif is known as a diligent administrator and for practical skills to implement policy but his real test will be his stint as premier. It won’t be easy, knowing well that Imran Khan will continue to pose challenges for his government.
