Politicians in Pakistan are very interesting. While most of their public speaking against each other is dismissed as malicious mudslinging or absurd one-upping (ala Rana Sanaullah), it is important to note that beneath all the crass jokes and dog-whistle politics lies a kernel of truth. The now admonished Zulfiqar Mirza made some uncomfortable statements about the MQM. It is great that the PPP is trying to redress such statements in the interests of national reconciliation (read save its coalition) but we should understand that this will just gloss over deeper issues that need to be solved if a real impetus to peacefully coexist is ever to emerge between political parties.
Having said that, politicians in Pakistan should also take care what comes out of their mouth, because of late they never think before they speak. We chose (somewhat) responsible representative, not people with a bad case of the gab.
NABEEL ASGHAR
Lahore
