- The fault with political parties
Political parties failed to nominate caretaker chief ministers in three provinces through consensus with the result that the issue landed on the ECP’s desk . This was yet another indication of the malaise afflicting the country’s political culture. Parties lack flexibility and are unwilling to enter into give and take to resolve their disputes. Bargaining, which is recognised as a genuine
tactic in democratic polity, is sometimes looked at as an unprincipled act. Failure in mutual accommodation frequently leads politicians to surrender their turf to unelected bodies.
First the respective chief ministers failed to broker a deal with the opposition leaders in their assemblies. Knowing well that the matter would slip out of their hands if their parliamentary committees too failed to reach a consensus, they obstinately stuck to their positions. In KP and Balochistan, the two smaller provinces, they silently accepted the ruling of the Election Commission. This was not to be the case in Punjab, the single largest province where the fate of the contenders for the Prime Minister’s office is often decided.
The ECP has nominated an academic who is also a media commentator for the slot of the caretaker chief minister of Punjab, his name having been suggested by the PTI. The PML-N leadership has objected to
the name maintaining that the nominee is prejudiced against it and thus cannot conduct fair elections in the province. It has cited the nominee’s comments regarding the postponement of elections and expression of doubt sabout the prospects of the PML-N’s success under
Nawaz Sharif’s leadership. While one expected the ECP to recommend a name that was not seen to be mired in controversy, the decision cannot be challenged on legal grounds. Dr Hasan Askari maintains that while his name was suggested by the PTI, he will act independently as the caretaker custodian of the province. There is a need now to take him at his word while watching his actions carefully. To start with, one hopes his selection of the cabinet will corroborate his claim of independence.
tactic in democratic polity, is sometimes looked at as an unprincipled act. Failure in mutual accommodation frequently leads politicians to surrender their turf to unelected bodies.
First the respective chief ministers failed to broker a deal with the opposition leaders in their assemblies. Knowing well that the matter would slip out of their hands if their parliamentary committees too failed to reach a consensus, they obstinately stuck to their positions. In KP and Balochistan, the two smaller provinces, they silently accepted the ruling of the Election Commission. This was not to be the case in Punjab, the single largest province where the fate of the contenders for the Prime Minister’s office is often decided.
The ECP has nominated an academic who is also a media commentator for the slot of the caretaker chief minister of Punjab, his name having been suggested by the PTI. The PML-N leadership has objected to
the name maintaining that the nominee is prejudiced against it and thus cannot conduct fair elections in the province. It has cited the nominee’s comments regarding the postponement of elections and expression of doubt sabout the prospects of the PML-N’s success under
Nawaz Sharif’s leadership. While one expected the ECP to recommend a name that was not seen to be mired in controversy, the decision cannot be challenged on legal grounds. Dr Hasan Askari maintains that while his name was suggested by the PTI, he will act independently as the caretaker custodian of the province. There is a need now to take him at his word while watching his actions carefully. To start with, one hopes his selection of the cabinet will corroborate his claim of independence.