Political rat race

Never too early for campaigning

While the elections are scheduled for the beginning of 2013, what one sees happening around gives the impression of the major contestants preparing for the final weigh-in. Finding that the PPP leadership is lost in its labyrinth, PML(N) chief Nawaz Sharif visited Larkana for the first time in more than a decade. He managed to collect a number of waderas who carted their haris and servants to the public meeting much the same way as they used to transport them to Musharraf’s gatherings. Back in Lahore, he held a meeting with erstwhile PML(Q) secretary information Tariq Azeem who wished Nawaz had embraced Shujaat and Pervez Elahi also. Later, Nawaz accompanied by Shahbaz and party bigwigs had a photo-op with the former Musharraf loyalist, which was a signal to other Q-Leaguers that Nawaz is willing to welcome them. The PPP and PML(Q) leaderships have meanwhile decided to take the issue of the Seraiki province to the Punjab assembly to strengthen their position in South Punjab. Both parties had for quite sometime discouraged their respective lawmakers from making the demand.

Most interesting is the way the PTI led by Mr Clean who promised a break with the conventional politics is preparing for the elections. To silence the critics who called Imran a captain without a team, the PTI has opened its gates for all and sundry, irrespective of whether anyone has declared his assets or not. Scions of feudal lords, supporters of military rulers and turncoats who have jumped out of several sinking ships are all queuing up to join the PTI. The PPP, PML(N), PML(Q) are all providing a supply of ‘electable’ leaders to the PTI. This might help Imran win seats but what is stake is the projected image of the PTI as a party fighting for change. The PTI stands in danger of being dubbed as old wine in a new bottle.

The PTI has been denied permission to hold its rally in Karachi on flimsy bureaucratic excuses. The Sindh government has to realise that attempts of the sort have failed to work even in countries like Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen. Besides the fact that mobile phones, internet and access to Facebook and Twitter foil attempts to muzzle the opposition, Pakistan also has a tradition of political protest that no government has succeeded in suppressing.