In the good old days, the former Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao had to duck for cover more than once. But on each occasion it was to avoid the cutting edges of the shrapnel from a suicide bomber’s bomb. His successor and the otherwise affable de-facto Interior Minister Rehman Malik did the same ducking act today right after leaving the Senate session, only in this case it was to avoid the equally cutting edge questions of the waiting media pack that wanted to grill him for ostensibly being the man behind the second by-elections postponement.

And you can’t blame the hacks for believing so because it was no less than the young chief minister NWFP who said it was Rehman’s call that made his government ask the same of the Election Commission.

It was both funny and ironic to see the man in charge of our homeland security, the feared boss of the fearsome IBs and FIAs of the land, himself fearing the media people and leaving the National Assembly through the basement garage. But then, when you do hasty things, you’d better be ready to beat hasty retreats as well. A fact poor Rehman Malik learned to his utter discomfort and embarrassment.

One thing is certain however that even if he didn’t start the move he definitely knew about its coming. According to a source, he had told a totally baffled Sherry Rehman yesterday that: “hamari marzi say ho raha hai” and that too just as she had come back after huffing and puffing against the decision before a battery of cameras and journalists. Now how did he know, and why, he isn’t telling now is he?

The Election Commission for its part says it did the postponement on its own but nobody believes that either. How’s that for the credibility of the Chief Election Commissioner and his merry men.

The government and its allies, namely PML-N, are blaming the entire postponement on the Presidency, which made a lightening fast disassociation from this action. But then the Presidency had also denied, with similar hast and vehemence that Ch Shujaat had not been asked by the president to step down as PML-Q chief.

The CM, NWFP, Ameer Haider Hoti says Rehman Malik did it who in turn says he did not and is now blaming it all on some confusion arising from his discussion on the law and order situation in the province and not on any electoral postponement (remember that Election Commission has cited law and order concern as one reason in its postponement decision).

PML-Q leadership has been equally quick to decree that the polls had been postponed to provide time to Shehbaz Sharif to clear his bank dues “running into billions”. It’s quiet obvious that Ch Pervaiz Elahi and Co are themselves blissfully unaware of what’s coming their way in the coming days when they may be asked to cough up some heavy billions of their own in connection with certain Punjab Bank loans, according to one informed insider. Word has it that one Khan who was ‘Hamaisha there for them’ has started spilling the beans in lieu of clemency for himself and as we all know, Shahbaz Sharif is a patient listener, and the Khan has a lot to say.

Anyway, the Secretary Election Commission, Kanwar Dilshad has already said that the EC decision could be reviewed by the Chief Election Commissioner if government asks it to. And judging from today’s political developments, the possibility of the EC decision being reversed is more than likely. But this incident underscores the need for the ruling alliance to take important decisions pertaining to the occupants of the Election Commission. The time has come to get the all-obliging secretary Election Commission to take a long walk into oblivion while in the next spate of house resolutions and constitutional packages, there should be one on the CEC as well. It’s time to make a truly fresh beginning and the best thing could be the establishment of a truly free and independent Election Commission whose word should be believed by all, and derided by none. Right now, it’s the exact opposite unfortunately.

But while the media was obsessed about talking to the evasive Malik about the elusive by-elections, he may have to dodge a fair amount of criticism in the coming days thanks to his super cop plans amongst other things.

Earlier during the session, while responding to a senator’s comments regarding the deteriorating law and order situation, Malik informed that an Inspector General (IG) police was being posted (or did he say he has already been posted?) at Islamabad who would “supervise” the working of the four provincial IGs. Ostensibly, the purpose is for the Interior Ministry to stay on top of things at all times. He also talked about setting up a hotline for people and the usual stuff. That’s all good but let’s stop here for a moment and take a step back.

Till my last reading of the domains and powers of the provincial governments, maintenance of law and order had been a purely provincial subject. So when this super cop IG pulls up the socks of some ‘inferior’ provincial IG would he - and of course his superior advisor - not be interfering in the affairs of the provincial government? This isn’t the same as moving away from some by-election controversy Mr Malik, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to run it through Mr Farooq Naek as well.

PS: Senate gossip has it that the Federal Housing Minister Sardar Rehmatullah Kakar may be getting a little soft on MQM in the much celebrated multi-billion scam involving the doling away of priceless state property by former MQM Minister Syed Safwanullah. The combined pressure of the reborn political ally of PPP and the all rich and all powerful land mafia must surely be taking its toll, but this is also the time to show your mettle Mr Kakar. And trust us; you are not alone because the media shall be there by your side in exposing the corrupt.

In another interesting move, according to an insider, hectic moves are being made by the same political outfit to regain the control of the Housing Ministry (for obvious reasons) if and when it joins the ruling alliance in Centre. Well let’s just wait and see how the future unfolds because if such a tragic thing were to happen then the promises made by the prime minister about a transparent government will themselves stand exposed.