Imran gears up for aggressive Panama Leaks battle, outside the Supreme Court
Imran Khan intends to fight a decisive battle against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over Panama Leaks both in the Supreme Court as well as on the media, armed with his firebrand team of lawyers cum television hosts.
An indication why he and veteran lawyer Hamid Khan could not get along.
With the trio of senior lawyers Babar Awan and Naeem Bokhari and television host Fawad Choudhry as the party's main spokesman, Imran clearly made his intention clear as how he wants to contest the Panama case, inside and outside the Supreme Court, something which Hamid Khan had opposed.
It appears as Imran now wants to become more aggressive outside the court and would create media hype through faces known to the media, who also do their own shows.
While Naeem Bokhari, is not doing any talk-shows at the moment but he is an articulate host. Both Babar Awan and Fawad Choudhry also do their own shows on two different television channels. Besides this they regularly appear on television channels as analysts.
With Hamid Khan out of the picture and his trusted aide Naeem-ul-Haque placed at an arm’s length, and Fawad Chaudhry as the go-to person for the media— Imran’s anxiety in this case is visible.
How much will this strategy work out depends on what happens inside the Supreme Court in the next Panama Leaks hearing on November 30? It would be interesting to watch the trio of Bokhari, Awan and Choudhry.
Imran’s planned strategy seems to keep the issue alive. Even if the party faces a setback inside the Supreme Court, the trio would be able to hold their heads high outside the court.
Babar Awan and Fawad Choudhry are considered to have close links with the Pakistan People’s Party. They can become a bridge between the PPP and PTI. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari sent a goodwill message to Fawad, while the new PTI leader regards Bilawal as a visionary leader.
It is also interesting to note that Imran had given preference to Awan over Aitzaz Ahsan, who too has been giving PTI Chairman free legal advice. Awan had not only defended Zardari and Benazir Bhutto's 'Swiss Account' case but is also PPP lawyer in the petition demanding 're-trial' of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's alleged judicial murder.
Sources said while Imran personally was more in favor of Aitzaz and had publicly appreciated his position, he did not support the move of fighting the case in the Parliament and as Joint Opposition, which Aitzaz always pleaded.
This is the decisive phase or final innings in Imran Khan's politics before the next general elections after his back to back setbacks since Judicial Commission findings over election rigging.
Imran's differences within PTI, is also quite known as Hamid Khan belong to the group which had supported former PTI Chief Election Commission, retired Justice Wahjiuddin's ruling on party's election rigging against Jehangir Tareen and others.
After Hamid Khan distanced himself from Panama case, Imran got so frustrated that he indirectly hit back to Hamid, by saying, “I had won several matches with weak teams as well."
This itself was admitting that his present legal team was “weak” despite being competent.
After these changes in the PTI approach it is no more a mystery why Hamid Khan had disassociated himself as he believes that the case in the Supreme Court, could only be won if fought professionally and not politically.
Babar Awan's choice was never an easy decision for Imran, because of their past differences. Awan defended Benazir-Zardari's 'Swiss account' case and his position remains unchanged, while Imran still believes they transferred money in Swiss banks. Yet, the two come on one page over Panama Leaks. But, what will happen if both Imran and Awan would meet the press, and be asked about Swiss accounts?
Imran likes the aggression in Babar Awan, the reason for his liking of veteran Sheikh Rahseed Ahmad was also for the same reason. But, will they be able to deliver?
While Mr Naeem Bokhari, who has recently joined PTI, will be the lead lawyer in this case, all eyes would be on the role of PPP's associated leader, still considered close to former President, Asif Ali Zardari.
Interestingly, Babar Awan is not only veteran in his field but is also known to the media for more than one reason.
It would be quite interesting if Awan had taken Zardari into confidence in taking PTI's case particularly at a time when some PPP leaders like Latif Khosa had termed PTI’s case as weak.
Bilawal demanded Sharif to accept his four demands before December 27, and return of Zardari by the second week of December.
Awan also has the capacity to bridge the gap between Imran Khan and Zardari, but at what cost. Imran believe that both Sharif and Zardari had looted Pakistan while Awan has given a clean chit to PPP leader in Swiss case.
But, Awan also knows that Zardari has amazing flexibility in politics but always plays his cards according to the situation. If today, he criticized Imran in his interview with Hamid Mir, he would not hesitate in meeting him, if situation demanded.
Problem would be on Imran's side as he has hired a lawyer, who would be trying to proof a Panama Leaks case against Sharif, without supporting the perception that both Sharif and Zardari are corrupt.
There has been lot of diversity in Imran Khan's approach towards politics and like his marriage's track record his political track record is also marred with controversies.
PTI has also taken a risk by hiring Awan, as he has strained relations with the judiciary since the days of the former Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry due to which once he was even suspended by the SC.
His presence may further dilute the presence of Naeem Bokhari, who otherwise has a charming personality and also known to media, but, is soft as compared to Awan.
During the very first hearing of the case it was clear that Imran is not happy with Hamid Khan, when they came out from the Supreme Court, PTI Chairman looked quite anxious as to why the SC, did not start day to day hearing and was advised by Hamid Khan, to wait for the reply from Sharif.
So, one wonders whether the real reason was media or PTI for Hamid Khan, as it is now clear that Imran wants to take on both fronts and is not happy with the performance of Hamid Khan. With the kind of evidence submitted by PTI, in the case what additional evidence will Awan submit?
It appears that PTI's legal team may do three things in the next hearing. (1) Oppose the formation of Judicial Commission and may ask the bench to hear the case, and, (2) may request the SC to summon the Prince of Qatar. (3) Reopen the LNG case and its link with Saifur Rehman.
Hamid Khan shoul d not have any complaint against the media, which by and large has supported Imran and PTI's position over 'Panama’, and some have even become the 'judges rather journalists.' So, it is better if Hamid Khan, should look towards problems within the party of not providing him enough material other than press clippings, TV talk shows and some excerpts from Asad Kharral's book.
PTI and Imran Khan, have certainly made 'Panama papers' a national issue against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, as it all came by chance and he used it quite well except that by creating too much media hype he raised his own party and media's expectation about the possible outcome.
What if they lose this case? What will be PTI's politics in the post Panama case? Will the initiative shift to the PPP which is gearing up for the movement in 2017, the year of election campaign.
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