The otters, the fish and the fox

A modern day fable

On Wednesday a slur was made by a combative PML-N cabinet minister, later the word withdrawn and deleted from the proceedings and the matter settled followed by an agreed formula on the formation of a joint parliamentary committee to formulate ToRs. Overnight the Speaker changed the formula to accommodate the MQM without consulting the leader of the opposition. This was obviously meant to gain the MQM’s sympathies at the cost of the joint opposition. The way some of the PML-N legislators defended the MQM’s inclusion caused further bitterness.

The opposition comprising nine parties is united only over the ToRs that demand, among other things, that the enquiry should begin with the PM. The PTI is clear about its objective: overthrowing of the government by hook or by crook. The PPP would not like to upset the apple cart but is seen to be following in the footsteps of the PTI. Like the PTI it wants that Nawaz Sharif hand over the office to a fellow party leader pending the enquiry. Neither the ANP nor QWP agree with the position. There are sharp differences within the joint opposition over other issues too. The MQM has a traditional antipathy for the PTI while its relations with the PPP are less than cordial. The ANP is more against the PTI than PML-N on account of KP politics. The PTI meanwhile remains suspicious about the PPP’s role.

There is a need to find a realistic way out of the current crisis. The infantile attitude of the PML-N and an absence of trust within the opposition can lead the government to try to delay the formulation of the ToRs or the new legislation for the formation of a powerful judicial commission. The resulting standoff is likely to bring in the army which has made it clear that it wants an across the board accountability within a short period. Both the PML-N and the PPP, if not the entire political class, might turn out to be the losers in this case.