Peaceful coexistence for national benefit
It took Asif Ali Zadari some time to overcome the shock of the May elections, which delayed a formal felicitation to Nawaz Sharif for nine days. Finally expressing reservations about the fairness of the polls, Zardari accepted the humiliating defeat with a smiling face. He then decided that relations with the PML-N were to be guided by a policy of live and let live. This suited the PML-N too which knew that while coping with issues like terrorism, power shortages and economic deterioration it could not afford to indulge in unnecessary confrontations. The newly elected PM decided to treat Zardari respectfully. The PML-N hotheads were reined in with the result that Zardari delivered a sixth presidential address without any disturbance. Zardari in return assured the PML-N chief that the PPP would not allow anyone to derail the present government. The PPP leaders vowed to eschew the politics of agitation and to confine themselves to criticising the government’s policies within the confines of parliament. At the APC the PPP supported Nawaz Sharif’s policy of talks with the Taliban despite a belief that these were doomed to failure.
Peaceful co-existence among rivals is a new tradition in Pakistan. After a five-week stay abroad Zardari has returned to take part in politics. While in Naudero he weighed the possibility of getting Bilawal elected to National Assembly in by-elections. Acting in line with the party strategy, he has vowed to support all measures taken by the government for the benefit of the country. He has conceded that the PPP government could not achieve its goals as it was handicapped by the compulsions of alliances forced on it on account of its being a minority administration. Further, as Nawaz Sharif enjoys sufficient majority, he should be helped to do what the PPP failed to. Referring to Karachi where the PPP and the PML-N are working in unison, Zardari maintained that if Karachi operation had not been undertaken, Sindh would have turned into another KP.
From Sindh, Zardari intends to move to Lahore to put life into a demoralized PPP. With imminent threats to his life from the militants, he needs the goodwill of the PML-N government. Political parties maintain alliances as long as they fulfill their needs. Whatever the motives, the two parties would do the country a good service if they join hands meanwhile to rid Pakistan of the menace of terrorism and put the economy back on track.