Muhammad Azam |
Folks, what you’re about to read may sound surreal but I assure you, this is a true story.
Esteemed political commentator and TV anchor, Dr. Moeed Pirzada, and yours truly – while on an excursion to Nathia Gali interviewing none other than PTI chief Imran Khan – made an astounding discovery that could have far reaching ramifications.
We discovered that Maulana Fazl-Ur-Rehman was present in the 5 km radius of Imran Khan’s weekend residence at Nathia Gali.
Now, this revelation may not seem of much consequence on the surface. You would be right to say “it’s a coincidence, so what?” but the nature of this encounter, the prevailing political atmosphere, and Maulana’s Machiavellian nature does not give a shrewd mind room to dismiss this discovery as a mere coincidence.
The Encounter
On our way back from a very fruitful visit to Imran Khan’s weekend abode, we stopped at a small, nondescript roadside hotel for some tea. We were savoring our doodh pati as the sun was setting over the misty mountains when Dr. Pirzada’s sharp eye caught a curious anomaly.
The guard’s eyes sparkled with pride as he made the epic blunder, “Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman” he answered. “He stopped here to say his prayers,” he continued, gesturing at a prayer mat near the chairs on which a bearded man was concluding his evening prayers.
A lone police constable armed with an AK-47 and sporting an Anti-Terrorist Squad cap sat across from us. He seemed out of place in the otherwise ordinary surroundings. After observing him for a few moments, the Doctor casually approached him and asked him if he was from the Anti-Terrorist Squad. “No sir, my boss has asked me to wear it. He was given these caps as a gift” he replied sheepishly, unnerved by the casual but direct question.
“Who is your boss?” the doctor continued questioning, maintaining his casual and informal demeanor.
The guard’s eyes sparkled with pride as he made the epic blunder, “Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman” he answered. “He stopped here to say his prayers,” he continued, gesturing at a prayer mat near the chairs on which a bearded man was concluding his evening prayers.
“Oh really! Maulana here to meet Khan sahib?” Dr. Moeed enquired cheerily.
“Oh well… you see we are Pakhtoon, we may have differences but Maulana and Khan also have an understanding…” the guard replied, still oblivious to the fact that he was speaking to an eminent political analyst.
A few yards away from where we were seated, a white Land Cruiser with jet black tints was parked with its hood popped open and two other men were working on some issue with the engine. The bearded man finished his prayers and summoned the guard to the Land Cruiser. Both of them disappeared behind the car.
This exchange did not last more than a minute.
The Doctor and I resumed sipping our tea nonchalantly but both of us silently acknowledged the gravity of this discovery.
A few yards away from where we were seated, a white Land Cruiser with jet black tints was parked with its hood popped open and two other men were working on some issue with the engine. The bearded man finished his prayers and summoned the guard to the Land Cruiser. Both of them disappeared behind the car.
“I have a strange feeling that Maulana might be inside the car” I whispered to Dr. Moeed.
“Hmm” he replied while keeping his gaze focused on the blacked out windows of the Land Cruiser.
The guard emerged from behind the vehicle, his ashen faced. It was clear by the look on his face that he had just realized his epic blunder.
He started loitering near us and made no attempt to hide his efforts at eavesdropping on our discussion.
The poor man had inadvertently informed a leading political commentator about the fact that Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman was in a 5 km radius of Imran Khan in the most curious of circumstances.
Just as we were about to depart, he interjected and tried to do some damage control, “Sir, it’s very hot from where we come. Maulana is here just for the weather,” he stated as way of explanation.
However, it was too late for that. The poor man had inadvertently informed a leading political commentator about the fact that Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman was in a 5 km radius of Imran Khan in the most curious of circumstances.
We were unable to confirm if Maulana was really in the car.
The Circumstances
The Nawaz ship is sinking and those who were previously astride that vessel are now in search of life boats. PML-N stalwarts have put on a brave face for the public but it is now clear that the Nawaz curve has moved well below its apex point.
The Maulana, well known for his political acumen and Machiavellian nature, is aware of his vulnerability in the current atmosphere, hence the possibility that the JUI-F chief wants to make a conciliatory gesture towards PTI is understandable.
PTI and PML-N are engaged in an increasingly dirty political war for the hearts and minds of the populace. If Maulana could provide PTI with enough ammunition to finish off PML-N, he might deflect the PTI’s debilitating ‘diesel’ taunts allowing him to preserve his core.
However, Imran Khan’s dislike for Maulana’s politics is no secret. In his speeches, the PTI chief has made it clear that he sees Maulana as part of Nawaz Sharif’s creed of corrupt politicians. Is a conciliation possible between the two diametrically opposite political poles?
Maulana is no spring chicken. He understands that a PTI government would result in the death of his brand of politics but what if he could strike a trade?
PTI and PML-N are engaged in an increasingly dirty political war for the hearts and minds of the populace. If Maulana could provide PTI with enough ammunition to finish off PML-N, he might deflect the PTI’s debilitating ‘diesel’ taunts allowing him to preserve his core.
But the fact is that Khan is now a seasoned politician who has learned how to make political maneuvers. Case in point; PTI’s counter punch to Gulalai’s allegations in the form of Ayesha Ahad’s press talk. Believing that Khan will not make a deal with Maulana, if needed, just because of his principles is a delusion.
You may argue that because of Imran Khan’s character and dislike for Maulana, the notion that he will strike a deal with the JUI-F chief does not make sense.
But the fact is that Khan is now a seasoned politician who has learned how to make political maneuvers. Case in point; PTI’s counter punch to Gulalai’s allegations in the form of Ayesha Ahad’s press talk. Believing that Khan will not make a deal with Maulana, if needed, just because of his principles is a delusion.
For now, we must be on the lookout for a fresh Nawaz scandal possibly related to more corruption charges cementing the perception of his guilt.
If damning allegations, previously unheard of, pop up, remember that Maulana was found loitering very close to the power center of PTI.