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Many questions
TWO months after the failed assassination attempt against former prime minister Imran Khan, all we have is more questions.
It has recently come to light that the joint investigation team formed by the Punjab government to probe the deadly bid on Mr Khan’s life has found evidence of a larger conspiracy; meanwhile, the federal government has also doubled down on its stance that the attack was the work of a lone wolf acting on his religious beliefs.
It is difficult to determine who to believe, as there are ample holes in both narratives as well as the JIT’s report.
All sides appear to have been selective with the facts, with the result being that we are no closer to getting to the bottom of the matter than we were in November.
The haphazard way in which matters were handled in the immediate aftermath of the attack had all but precluded the possibility of an impartial and accurate investigation.
It was strange that the prime suspect’s alleged ‘confession’ was recorded — apparently on a senior police officer’s direction — and quickly leaked to national media well before any investigation of the incident. Then, as Mr Khan has once again pointed out, he was never allowed to lodge an FIR against the powerful individuals he suspected.
On the flipside, Mr Khan never joined the investigation or shared any proof to back the accusations he had made, and continues to make, against the prime minister, interior minister and “black sheep” in the military.
The inquiry was also conducted by a team handpicked by the Punjab government, and therefore appeared to lack the important element of impartiality.
Its reported findings, that none of the former prime minister’s guards discharged their weapons, and that bullets were fired by three different assassins from three different directions, are quite surprising as they seemingly contradict the contents of various video recordings of the attack which had circulated widely after it took place. Reports that the prime suspect failed a polygraph test are also quite concerning.
Clearly, both sides are being less than forthright and the truth is very likely quite different than what either would like to admit. It is extremely important that their distrust of each other is kept aside and we have an unimpeachable version of events. Only that can allow the prosecution of this dastardly attack.
An assassination bid against a major public leader is no trivial matter. Too many Pakistanis have paid with their lives while pursuing their vision for the country.
It is a grave tragedy that the ones who were slain never received justice, nor their families and followers any closure, just because their cases were never honestly investigated or prosecuted by the state.
The political leadership on both sides would be well advised to stop creating hurdles. Whatever the truth of the matter, it must come out.
Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2023
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