Is the government flummoxed or driving a hard bargain?
By Staff Reporter
Confusion is the order of day. Political instability, economic challenges, and constitutional crises seem to have grown all over Pakistan like stubborn fungi. It seems those at the helm of affairs have no prudent roadmap to steer the country through.
Is it a halt?
The coalition administration headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is behaving like a caretaker setup that goes through the motions of the governance without taking any responsibility, wanting to just complete their brief term before handing over the helm to the next full-term administration.
The Pakistan Democratic Front (PDM), a coalition of eleven political parties that run the gamut of Pakistan’s political spectrum, came to power after sending Imran Khan’s government to the streets through a vote of no confidence.
It looks as if Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the majority party of this setup, which along with its allies, seemingly punished Imran Khan for being unable to shore up the economy, has realised too late they have bitten more than they can chew.
Soon after coming to power, Sharif, the legendary administrative genius, lost his marbles, now nowhere to be found in Pakistan, but London.
Sharif miserably failed his first test after taking over as PM: Raising prices of petroleum products, frozen by Khan until the budget 2023.
But raising those prices is a prerequisite for IMF talks currently underway.
Sharif, the other hand, dare not reverse the price freeze as it would have become a political nightmare for his party.
When he rushed to London to seek wisdom from his elder brother (Nawaz Sharif) along with his future cabinet, it became clear that younger Sharif cannot take any decision without the elder’s permission.
The rupee seems to have been hit by a train. The central bank’s coffers have more cobwebs in them than dollars.
On his part, the ousted Khan is on fire, barnstorming across the country attracting large public rallies, demanding early elections, and criticising the current government for pushing the country towards a default.
It’s pertinent then to ask, what is the confusion regarding taking tough decisions, if any, within PML-N?
By now, it is quite clear that the ruling coalition is intent on enacting electoral and accountability reforms before the date for next general elections is announced.
Why, then, is PML-N seen advocating early elections? Is their dilemma of choosing between vote and economy not letting them take bold steps?
Such reasoning is difficult to stomach for a party like PML-N that ruled the country thrice and is now in a coalition.
The Sharifs know exactly what they are doing. They are clear and the message too has been sent with clarity to right quarters.
Surprised? The very institution they complained they were hit by when Khan was brought to power is now being asked to guarantee their existence now and in future power politics.
Despite the younger Sharif being the chief executive of the country, he ostensibly needs those guarantees before his elder brother can return to Pakistan or his party’s political prodigy Maryam Nawaz can participate in the next general elections.
Then a guarantee is also needed for containing Khan, threatening to stage a long march on Islamabad with two million people to demand early elections.
These guarantees can only be given by those who are saying they are neutral. Or not.
The inner circles of PML-N believe Khan is still receiving that partial support from his takers within the establishment, which they fear can once again turn the tide in his favour in the upcoming elections.
The incumbent leader of the establishment is nearing retirement. Ideally, with this new phenomenon of neutrality, political parties would want elections to be held in his tenure rather than in someone else’s term, who the Sharifs may be sceptical about in view of the PML-N’s track record of such appointments.
The elder Sharif has thrice made the choice in appointing the country’s top leadership of the armed forces. Unfortunately, he was overthrown twice by his own appointments through military coups, while the last one he believes was orchestrated by the then army chief.
Time is running out fast. Will the Sharifs get the guarantees they crave or announce fresh polls?
Decision for the timing of the next general election seems far more important than the economy.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
