The government forced their hand
The PTI’s itch for extra-parliamentary confrontation is back once again. The factor that has triggered the reflex is the PIA strike. The party has announced to initiate a nationwide protest from Karachi against the ‘economic injustices being meted out to the people of Pakistan’. With the Prime Minister driven along a stretch of the newly built M-8 with the army chief in the driving seat, there is a likelihood of the self-confidence in the government assuming unrealistic proportions.
The PML-N’s penchant for steamrollering the opposition in parliament is equally responsible for encouraging the opposition parties to court the mobs. The way the government got the PIA privatisation bill passed when the opposition had staged a boycott is the latest example. Tricks of the sort do provide a temporary relief but have a highly dangerous impact by sending the message that the PML-N leadership does not give any importance to parliament and can simply ignore the opposition on account of the PML-N’s sheer majority.
The PML-N has gradually isolated itself on account of its disregard for parliament. Unless it curbs the urge to do things on its own without caring to consult the opposition, it will have to face any possible crisis single-handedly without help from other political parties. It would be unwise to think that on account of existing mutual differences in the ranks of the opposition, there is no possibility of the opposition parties getting united. There is a consensus between PTI and PPP on the twin issues of PIA privatisation and the tax amnesty scheme. Both are already opposing the present route of the Orange Line Metro. It is in the interest of the PML-N and country at large to take the opposition on board, go for compromise and accommodation instead of taking divisive measures, and tell its minister to speak with humility instead of adopting the strident tone reminiscent of the autocratic rulers of the past.
My comments rejected even if NOT abusive or fould language. Another comments saying " PIA hostage to rough and corrupt emplyees" accepted !
As the saying goes, it is too late to teach an old dog new tricks. Expecting a autocratic mind to behave in a democratic way is living in a fools paradise. NS is a product designed, nurtured and promoted by a past dictator. Both brothers are of an autocratic mindset that do not tolerate even a slightest challenge to their authority, they do not tolerate disagreement. The do not believe in devising policies through democratic discussion in their cabinet (they have no cabinet as such, just a few advisers who have agreed to agree), nor a democratic debate in parliament. Both brothers are autocratic one man bands, Government for them in all its aspects is just a family run business.
Nawaz Sharif never had much of a reputation for humility and his years in Saudi palaces have taken his arrogance to new heights. He is now beginning to see himself as no less than a king, and definitely not of a benevolent type unfortunately. And the virus seems to be spreading fast. Even his ministers seem to be imitating his style. Already, three persons have lost their lives and if people thought that it would make Nawaz Sharif rethink his policies, they have definitely been proved wrong.
And the three Ps: PIA staff, PTI and PPP warming up for a showdown, the outlook does not look too good.
However, I don’t think Nawaz Sharif would be bothered in the least over the killing of three persons during protests by PIA workers or even more serious situations. After all, he successfully managed to bury deep under the soil the case of brutal killing of many times that number among a peaceful gathering at Model Town Secretariat of Dr. Tahirul Qadri, and in the circumstances where the most powerful person in Pakistan, the army chief, had played a role in getting the FIR of the case registered, and which fact Dr. Tahirul Qadri kept pointing out, with little effect.
There are other factors as well which have greatly increased Nawaz Sharif’s confidence and taken his arrogance to new heights.
It was not all that far back that participants of various talk-shows were passionately and unequivocally declaring that along with Sindh, the anti-terror and anti-corruption operation would soon be launched in other provinces as well.
However, the way things are going, it seems the armed forces are quite satisfied with the operation they did in tribal areas and they are unlikely to take the fight very much beyond Sindh, focused mainly on Karachi. And the army chief’s announcement to hang up his boots in November also sort of confirms it.
Also, considering how long the Karachi operation took, there simply isn’t enough time between now and November this year to start, and satisfactorily conclude any operation in Punjab or elsewhere in the country. And even if something is started, it will be in the nature of some low-level activity,
And if there were still some doubts and apprehensions lingering around somewhere in Nawaz Sharif’s mind, they would have been laid at rest with the army chief driving him around at the inauguration of Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab motorway in Balochistan.
Saiyan bhaye kotwal to ab dar kahe ka
No disrespect if intended to anyone.
Leaving integrity apart, with not even restraint, good sense and little bit of decency displayed by any sector of the government, we could soon be in for some rough and tough times, again..
Karachi
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