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.