Should not lose sight of priorities
Finding that his warning to army leadership had only compounded his problems, Asif Ali Zardari has trained his guns on Nawaz Sharif holding him responsible for ‘targeting PPP and other political opponents’. The cases against the PPP leaders have been initiated by the FIA, NAB and Rangers which are either constitutionally under the federal government or supposed to be amenable to its pressure. The sarcastic remarks by some of the PML-N leaders like Mushahidullah have strengthened the perception that the action against the PPP leadership has been taken with the federal government’s connivance if not under its directives.
Without defending anyone of the PPP leaders against the charges they face, Zardari calls for even-handedness through similar action against those in the PML-N accused of the same kind of crimes like money laundering and corruption. He is suddenly reminded of the Supreme Court judgment in Asghar Khan case requiring action against those who had received ISI funds. He accuses the federal government of violating the provincial autonomy by letting NAB and FIA interfere in Sindh. The reminder to Nawaz Sharif that at a time of serious confrontation with India, actions that divide the population should be avoided is in fact meant for all stakeholders.
Instead of giving an ear to the hotheaded elements in the PML-N, Sharif has done well to direct his party men to avoid issuing statements against the PPP. He has also directed Ishaq Dar and Pervaiz Rashid to contact the PPP leadership. At a time when the balance of power is tilted against the elected government, political parties can ill afford to confront each other. It is for the PM to advise those who matter to concentrate on the implementation of NAP and avoid any action that causes mutual mistrust and divides the forces united against the terrorists. Once the terrorists have been taken care of, there will be enough time to deal with corruption cases. When countries are at war, they put numerous peace time priorities on the back burner.
Zardari has proved more than once that he is not a stable person and is mentally not balanced. This could be due to various reasons: lack of education, brought up and arrogance acquired through sychophancy by supporters. Such persons are basically cowards. They can walkover anybody’s dead body to get what they want. Therefore such people have no place in a civilized world.
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