Keep political loose cannon under check
Among other important issues raised by Mian Nawaz Sharif on Monday was that of the government-opposition relations. Opposing agitational politics, the PML-N chief maintained the culture of overturning governments through street agitation must come to an end. Many would readily agree with Nawaz as the country badly needs to consolidate the gains made during the last five years of democratic rule. During 2008-13 the governments at the center and the provinces abstained, after a long time, from persecuting political opponents or recruiting turncoats from rival political parties. A display of greater patience helped a genuinely elected government to complete its tenure for the first time. What is needed now is to further expand the democratic culture by abstaining from taking political battles from the Parliament to the streets. What the PML-N needs to realize however is that it takes two to tango. The party in power at the center and in Balochistan shall bear a greater responsibility for keeping political differences within manageable limits. The PML-N has to deal with a number of crucial and highly complex problems, ranging from terrorism to power shortages, and an ailing economy which it may not be able to deal with satisfactorily unless there is cooperation between the center and the provinces.
Even a cursory look at the scenario would endorse the adage concerning old habits dying hard. The MQM and PTI are in eyeball to eyeball confrontation in Karachi after the killing of Tehrik-e- Insaf leader Zahra Shahid . The outbursts by the MQM chief have added fuel to the fire. Shahbaz Sharif’s allegation regarding Zardari being responsible for recent transfers and postings in the federal government has elicited a strong protest from the President’s spokesman. President Zardari took nine days to congratulate Nawaz Sharif over his victory. Unless the government and the opposition reach an understanding over a modus vivendi, there is a danger of relations deteriorating.
Preliminary statements hinting at cooperation as well as tentative attempts to bring down the political temperature are welcome. Nawaz Sharif has assured that the federal government would do all that it can to help the PPP and the MQM to improve law and order situation in Karachi. Pervez Khattak who has been nominated by the PTI as Chief Minister Khyber Pukhtunkhwa has promised that his government would not enter into confrontation with the center. Altaf Hussain has called off all ongoing protests “till further notice.” Protests are a part of democracy. However unless the leaders of all major parties reach a consensus to maintain democratic norms while expressing dissent, peace in the country would continue to hang by a thread. What is of utmost importance is for the parties to keep their loose cannon under control.