Jolted by the recent loss of majority in the National Assembly, the Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has immediately offered the olive branch to Mr Nawaz Sharif, President PML(N), by accepting his 10-point agenda. Obviously, this move must have been the brainchild of President Zardari who is a master in making such calculated moves when the PPP led government is in serious doldrums. Nevertheless, since opportunism rather than sincerity dictates such overtures, the resulting friendship is seldom long lasting. Being a marriage of convenience, it collapses like the proverbial nine pins as soon as the government regains its strength and then it searches elsewhere for more compliant alliances.
French President Charles de Gualle once said that in democracy the betrayal of either the country or the people was a must though he would never betray his country. Our misfortune, however, is that our rulers have invariably betrayed both the country and the people at the same time for the satisfaction of their personal greed and avarice.
Its high time that the nation stands united and tells such politicians that they will not be tolerated any longer. Otherwise, the continuation of the status quo will be a disaster of an unimaginable proportion for the country. It must be ensured that in future only such people enter the assemblies and are elected to rule who are reputed to be patriotic, honest, just and sagacious. Importantly, they must be visionary too who can see future events way ahead of their own times.
FAROOQ ZAMAN
Lahore
