Arif Nizami in his recent article “Shifting sands” published on 24 March has rightly concluded that the PM is in no mood to write a letter to the Swiss authorities and it is also true that the PM cannot escape conviction from the contempt case. The fact of the matter is that PM’s lawyer has been successful in delaying the case suiting to his convenience and forcing his opinion on judges of the apex court to agree that his client is innocent.
Most of the time he reminds the apex court to follow constitution but at the same time he forgets that the ultimate authority of interpretation of laws and constitutional matters rests with the Supreme Court. He wants the case to be decided according to his wishes and is trying to influence the court through media after each hearing. It is also true that at times remarks of Supreme Court judges during hearing of contempt case against PM are interpreted in such a manner that it allows media to speculate the outcome and draw different conclusions.
President Zardari has played his cards safely and intelligently and has outmanoeuvred all his critics as he has been successful in getting majority in the Senate that would be handy if he stands for the second term. On the other hand, the second largest party PML(N), which still lacks a clear line of direction and most of the time is wasting their time shouting at President Zardari, may please the voters but does not deter PPP from their objectives. I would disagree with the writer about PPP’s using victim card because the apex court during the hearing has given a hint that even if the PM is convicted he shall continue as PM, which has given more strength and courage to the PM to openly declare his defiance of the Supreme court.
PTI has definitely caused tremors in other political parties and especially has unnerved PML(N). Distribution of laptops to students shall prove counterproductive because youth is convinced that there should be a change in the status quo as it has not benefited the country. The recent scandal of Mehran Bank in which the Sharifs are named, mere denial cannot help and substitute the proofs given by Younas Habib. PPP enjoys better edge against all parties having given jobs to over two lac people and reinstated all sacked employees with backdated benefits.
The writer has raised a valid question that a party which has been in power many a time in the past should feel threatened and insecure by PTI. It is also true that the PTI has not been able to give clear cut policy to the nation except cursing President Zardari and Nawaz Sharif and claiming to wipe out corruption in 90 days could be termed as dream. But at least there is someone in real opposition instead of friendly opposition. There can be no two opinions about PTI cutting the vote bank of PML(N), PML(Q) and JUI(F) and ANP as suggested, and that would only benefit PPP to again emerge as the largest party with “jorr torr”
Time is running short: all Muslim leagues should forget their differences and unite under one banner to avoid losing their own confirmed seat and taking PTI as their real threat instead of PPP. Imran Khan is a potential threat only to break the vote bank but not a winner. Until and unless like-minded parties do not unite and come on one platform, change shall remain a distant dream.
MUKHTAR AHMED
Karachi