Why the effort?
The prime minister’s preferred route in dealing with the Panama mess leaves a lot to be desired. Instead of making sure a mutually agreeable investigation takes off as soon as possible – so, from the PM’s point of view, he can clear his name and return to business – the ruling is still trying to control the damage through other means. The Maulana Fazl novelty, for example, is not just poor politics but could hardly have been timed any worse. It was not too long ago after all that Mian sb tried to meet Zardari – when he went for his first medical checkup – unsuccessfully.
Now, with the Maulana’s three hours with Asif Zardari not able to break the ice, and Nawaz Sharif obviously unable to stay in London for his second medical checkup indefinitely, it’s not immediately clear what the initiative has achieved. Or, more appropriately, what the Maulana or the prime minister expected it to achieve. Zardari, meanwhile, is in an increasingly uncomfortable position. He cannot, for the time being, offer anything beyond the hollow ‘we won’t let any harm come to democracy’ rhetoric. And, back home, the party will simply not allow him to bail Nawaz out another time.
Also, it’s not as if Zardari is too eager to help the Sharifs this time around. They were not very warm, after all, when the former president tried to approach them during the heat of the Karachi Operation, especially the Dr Asim episode. Plus, Zardari is in no position to silence internal opposition, like he did at the time of the dharna. His policy of reconciliation clearly did not play out too well for PPP. And once the pressure was off, PML-N reverted to its usual distance.
From the looks of things, Nawaz probably still does not realise the kind of pressure he has come under. Even those always eager to fight for democracy are reminding him that the system would not go belly up in case he steps down pending an inquiry. The prime minister is wasting time and energy trying to solve this matter through negotiations and give-and-take. The sooner he sets the investigation rolling, the sooner this episode will start moving towards the finish line.
The indefinite adjournment of Ayyan Dollar smuggling case might have to do with Fazl’s contact with Zardari if it did happen!
Oh yes, May be you are right.
When one commits a mistake and commits more mistakes to cover it, one is lost in the process. Asking for help from people like Maulana Diseal or Mr 10% is like adding fiel to fire. One has no say in the National politics and the other is on the run after his outbursts against the Establishment. The PM is in London for 'medical check-up and now intends to go the US for further check-up. Gulshan ka khuda Haafiz !
Yesterday my comments were deleted – today may be not !
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