ONE MUST WONDER AT times if arguably the most famous personality Pakistan has to offer at the moment in terms of political regard, Imran Khan, harbours a sort of bipolar characteristic in his genes which makes his statements flutter to and fro with ease. It’s commonly said that time heals all wounds—the wounds of 9 May are something the former prime minister is still trying to heal. From the depths of his affluent compound at Lahore’s Zaman Park, incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has uttered a number of conflicting statements with regards to his involvement in the riots from a little over two months ago which could confuse even the world’s greatest legal minds.
Initially, the chairman had denied his party’s involvement in the riots altogether. While this was quickly disproved—with flairs of military trials at the end of the tunnel—Khan had taken it upon himself to clear his own self of any wrongdoing, questioning international forums as to what the Pakistani government had expected to happen if he was incarcerated. It was inevitable that people would pour out onto the streets and light national landmarks aflame, he had said. It is the right of the people to peacefully protest, he had said. Only now, things are different. Instead of wiping down a wound with an ethanol pad, Imran Khan has glazed his wounds with bottles of Grey Goose, attempting to wipe his slate clean once and for all.
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At this point, he seems to believe that the only way to achieve such a redemption is by accepting accountability. However, it is undeniably too late. The damage has been wrought upon families, infrastructure, and has desecrated the cherished fragility of our political landscape. These scars will remain for as long as they continue to torment their victims. ∎
