The writer is an Islamabad-based physicist and writer. WHEN he struggled from atop his container to become prime minister, Imran Khan promised that all who handle public funds would be held accountable. Influential people included, there would be no exceptions. Seen as a blow against widespread corruption, this was broadly welcomed. But new directives from the Prime Minister’s Office have explicitly excused some from normal procedures of accountability. Most recently the HEC chairman, Dr Tariq Banuri, was shown the door after he questioned the performance exemption given to three scientific institutions associated with Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, currently an adviser to the government and a former HEC chairman. In doing so, Banuri crossed a red line. No charge sheet was issued but a hurried meeting of the cabinet led to his sacking. To avoid a legal challenge, a presidential ordinance reduced the HEC chairman’s tenure from four to two years.