In the House
With MQM and JUI-F’s de-seating motions for PTI withdrawn, hopefully this long episode of needless and fruitless confrontation has come to an end. But it seemed so at many turns; first when the dharna ran out of steam, then when it decamped, then with the judicial commission’s conclusive findings, and now, finally, with animosity in the House also removed. There is still a caveat though. Maulana Fazl is about to table another motion apparently; one that will involve all party leaders. And if he continues to tie movement on the one about to come with the one just handled, there might still be a hiccup or two yet to play out.
Khurshid Shah, for all his efforts in moving this process forward, seemed to be talking more for PTI than his party when he said ‘we will amend our attitude and move forward”. But PTI took its time coming in line. First the chairman announced he was ready for a spirited bye-election anytime, and later senior members accused the ruling party of point scoring because, according to them, the House would be incomplete without PTI. Yet point scoring is one thing PML-N has smartly avoided – on the matter of the judicial commission and this issue over de-seating.
Perhaps it’s best if all concerned can truly move from this episode and concentrate on what is next. PTI now has ample time to prove its credentials as an effective opposition in testing times for the government. For now, though, both PTI and PML-N will turn to the local body elections in Punjab. With the PTI breaking down internally, it should concentrate on putting its house in order, and stitching together an election campaign that has more to sell than opposing parties’ incompetence and alleged illegitimacy. Hopefully all parties concerned have grown that proverbial grey hair by now that reflects the maturity needed to move ahead in a constructive manner.
