And the ruling party’s tactics
PML-N has dodged the Panama probe a long time now. Even with the PM back in the seat, there seemed no way of getting over the ToR tangle. So a confrontation seems the most likely immediate future. And even though the fight is, unfortunately, going to be taken to the streets again, there’s a lot that remains to be seen even about the opposition’s tactics. For one thing, PTI suddenly downgraded its core demand a few days ago – from the PM’s resignation to his accountability, without quantifying the new condition.
Therefore, if it is not going for all out removal – like it did in the previous dharna – most likely it will not consider the new dharna its only option. There might still be some flexibility on the cards. The PPP’s position is even less clear. Bilwal would, from the looks of things, like nothing more than take to the streets himself till there is some sort of accountability in the wake of the Panama Leaks. But surely his workers have told him by now how hurting the government too much now could hurt the PPP even more. For, even if the government is somehow ousted, there is no way PPP can take advantage of a snap election. If anything, it might even lose Sindh.
Its best chance, considering all its options, is keeping the temperature up, boiling the N-league all the way to the election. And PAT is a different animal, yet it will play a role in the eventual numbers game. And, even if taking down the government is a far off thing, the agitation will prove painful for the ruling party. Strangely, PML-N has still not explained just why it is so unwilling to investigate the PM. If there really is nothing to hide, why allow the circus to continue? Why not simply call an investigation and put the matter to rest once and for all. Unfortunately, PML-N’s tactics seem different. And, for the moment, they seem to prefer the agitation over the investigation.