Oh, what a tangled web we weave…
The PPP says that it opposes all steps to overthrow the government because its leaders have sacrificed for democracy and that they feel it is important to save democracy. But the fact is that PPP cannot afford to come out on streets even if they want to, since their street power has become limited.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s stance on most issues has been vague and unclear. On the issue of Panama Leaks, although the PPP initially came harsh on the government and the ruling party Pakistan Muslim League – N (PML-N), it has kept itself away from the calls of street protests and agitation against the government – in the name of democracy.
The last time Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri’s Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) were on streets against the government, it was PPP that helped the ruling party get out of the mess and advised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to use the forum of parliament to get rid of the protesting parties. It was then when the government and the prime minister started taking parliament seriously and began attending its sessions. Some however give credit to anti government sit-ins for the government’s newfound interest in attending parliament’s sessions.
The PPP says that it opposes all steps to overthrow the government because its leaders have sacrificed for democracy and that they feel it is important to save democracy. But the fact is that PPP cannot afford to come out on streets even if they want to, since their street power has become limited. Secondly, in case of fresh elections, the PPP will not only be wiped out but also lose the seats that it currently holds. There are number of reasons for decline in PPP’s popularity, one of them being disengagement between the leadership and workers.
The ideological workers of PPP are clearly tired of ‘reconciliation’ and want the party to oppose the government at every level.
A source within the PPP, on condition of anonymity, told DNA that the PPP workers particularly in Punjab are unhappy with the allegations of ‘friendly opposition’ on the party and want the leadership to adopt a more aggressive approach towards the government.
“The party’s decision so far is to stay away from street protest, but nothing is final in politics”, the source added.
So basically, if the PPP opposes protesting parties and sides with the government, the workers will be unhappy. The party is undergoing a reorganisation process so it won’t be easy for the leadership to ignore the workers this time. Also, the party cannot afford to demand fresh elections since the reorganisation process is not completed yet.
Bilawal not happy with ‘Nakaam league’:
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto does not seem to be too impressed by the government’s handling of a number of government affairs. During the campaign for Azad Kashmir elections, he lashed out at the government for neglecting Kashmir and alleged that Nawaz Sharif was a friend of Indian PM Modi as he has adopted a pro-India policy and continues to ignore the issue of killings in occupied Kashmir.
In one of his public meetings, Bilawal termed PML-N as ‘nakaam league’ (failed league). After the elections, Bilawal alleged rigging but the PPP announced to accept the results ‘for the sake of democracy’. Declaring an election rigged but accepting the results to ‘save democracy’ is what PPP has been doing in the past too.
Will PPP agitate against the government?
PPP Punjab’s Social Media Head Jahanara Wattu said that PPP is not playing the role of friendly opposition. The party has sacrificed a lot for democracy so it will always strengthen the parliament. The allegations of friendly opposition on the party are unjust, as the party and Chairman Bilawal have always stood up against the incompetence of the government, she said.
DNA reached out to PPP’s Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira for his comment on the issue. The PPP leader said that his party stood with other opposition parties on their stance over the Panama Leaks issue. He told DNA that the joint opposition decided there will be no more meetings with the government until they agree to the opposition’s Terms of Reference (TORs).
Responding to a question about PPP’s participation in PTI and PAT’s protests, Kaira said that PPP supports all the demands put forward by the PTI and PAT. “PAT is demanding justice for their activists killed at Model Town by Punjab police, and we support them on that.” He said that the PPP wants accountability of the prime minister.
Responding to a question about PPP’s participation in PTI and PAT’s protests, Kaira said that PPP supports all the demands put forward by the PTI and PAT. “PAT is demanding justice for their activists killed at Model Town by Punjab police, and we support them on that.” He said that the PPP wants accountability of the prime minister.
The PPP leader however did not give a clear answer when asked if PPP will join the upcoming protests against the government. He told DNA that the party will continue to ‘protect’ democracy and will not become a part of any plan that harms the democratic system of the country.
Change of Sindh CM: Too little too late?
The PPP has been criticised for poor governance in Sindh, where the party is in charge for over 8 years. After a lot of criticism on the former chief minister Qaim Ali Shah for bad governance, the PPP finally decided to change the province’s CM. Murad Ali Shah, the new CM, has vowed to rid Sindh of all its problems and promised that he would try his best to eradicate corruption in the province.
Ironically, the meeting that finalised the appointment of the new CM was held in Dubai, where PPP Co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari is currently staying. This is not the first time decisions on Sindh’s affairs were made from Dubai. Previously, there was a reshuffle in the provincial cabinet and that decision was also taken after a party meeting held in Dubai.
When DNA asked PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira that why PPP leadership chooses Dubai as venue for their meetings, he said: “There is nothing wrong with it. Consultation on party affairs can take place anywhere.”
While commenting on the new chief minister, Kaira said that instead of citicising the PPP for non-issues, the critics should give time and space to the new chief minister. Things will definitely get better in Sindh, he said, and added that Murad Ali Shah will prove to be a positive change for the province.
Is Bilawal experienced enough to head PPP?
PPP is oftenn criticised for dynastic politics and the failure to bring democracy within the party. The democracy that makes a 27-year-old kid boss of senior politicians like Aitzaz Ahsan, Sherry Rehman and Raza Rabbani, is not actually democracy. How can those who have been unable to ensure democratic system within their own parties protect democracy in the country?
PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira was of the opinion that PPP chairman enjoys support of the workers and that is what matters. Lashing out at the opponents, Kaira said that the PPP chairman cannot be termed as immature or inexperienced. “Learning is a gradual process and he will become more experienced with time”, he said.
When DNA asked Qamar Zaman Kaira why PPP failed to conduct intra-party elections, he said that neither PML-N nor PTI managed to conduct elections within their parties but only PPP is blamed for lack of democracy. “If intra-party elections are held before general elections, it gives rise to enmities with the parties and that is why parties are afraid to conduct the intra-party elections before the general elections.
If PPP is to reclaim the lost ground, it should work on minimising the distance between the leadership and workers. Democracy within the party is also necessary for the revival.
