In a twist so ironic that it could rival the finest Shakespearean drama, the political saga of Pakistan has once again delivered us a spectacle to cherish. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership, once known for their fiery speeches and relentless jibes at Maulana Fazlur Rehman — lovingly nicknamed “Maulana Diesel” — now find themselves standing humbly behind him in prayer.
Yes, dear readers, the same PTI leaders, who could hardly go a day without referring to Maulana as “Diesel” in every talk show, speech, and press conference, have suddenly discovered that perhaps Maulana’s spiritual fuel economy is more efficient than they once imagined. How else can one explain Omar Ayub Khan, Asad Qaiser, Asad Umar, and other PTI stalwarts offering prayers (namaz) with the Maulana leading the congregation, all while their own chairman, Imran Khan, sits in jail facing corruption charges?
“Diesel” was once the symbol of everything PTI hated — corruption, opportunism, and backdoor deals. And yet, here they are, following him in imamat like devoted disciples, with not a whisper about “price hikes” or “black market” in sight. Oh, how the mighty slogans have fallen!
Rumor has it that Asad Umar, who once took great pride in calling out Maulana’s supposed inefficiencies, remarked after prayer, “Well, at least the Maulana leads namaz on time, unlike our economy.” A moment of profound reflection, no doubt.
As for Imran Khan, one can only imagine the thoughts running through his mind from behind bars. The man who once declared he’d never share a platform with Maulana Diesel is probably wondering if the prayers might just help him too. After all, in Pakistani politics, even enemies find themselves kneeling together sooner or later.
In this divine comedy of errors, one thing is certain: Pakistan’s political landscape remains as unpredictable as ever. Just when you think you’ve figured out who’s on the “right path,” someone else steps up to lead the prayer.
Note: This piece is a satirical work and does not purport to represent the truth.