Killing three birds with one stone
President Asif Ali Zaradi hopes to kill three birds with one stone. How far he succeeds depends on a number of factors. By appointing Makhdum Ahmad Mahmud as Governor of Punjab, the President might be offering an olive branch to Pir Pagara who is bringing all anti-PPP groups and politicians in Sindh under his leadership to pose a challenge to the PPP in the forthcoming elections. The appointment should please the PML-N also as unlike the outgoing Governor Latif Khosa, Makhdum enjoys cordial relations with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. The move would also presumably pour cold water over the hopes of the PML-Q which wanted to make inroads in Punjab through patronage provided by the ex-governor.
Now the fly in the ointment. Makhdum Ahmad Mahmud was the President PML-F, Punjab chapter, which is headed by Pir Pagra on the national level. The immediate reaction from his erstwhile party on his resignation has so far been a single line: “It was his personal decision rather than the Party’s.” While the appointment might provide the Pir a satisfaction that he has a confidant on Punjab’s gubernatorial post, he has lost a loyal party leader and MPA. Only eight days back, the Makhdum had flown from Britain and driven straight to Hyderabad to address the rally called by Pagara where he lambasted the PPP for the dual Local Bodies system introduced recently to please the MQM. While it is a common practice among the feudal families to encourage their scions to join different parties to retain influence over the administration irrespective of who is in power, it remains to be seen how Pagara reacts to what is seen by many as an act of defection.
It might provide some solace to the PML-Q that it has succeeded in blocking the entry of Manzoor Wattoo into the Punjab Governor’s House. But the loss of Khosa, with whom Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi had developed close ties, would rankle in the days to come, all the more so because of Makhdum’s relations with the Chaudhrys’ nemesis. After the by-elections drubbing, the PPP, in any case, had to distance itself from both Wattoo and the Chaudhrys.
With elections round the corner, there is a need on the part of all mainstream parties to put an end to mutual bickering and concentrate on holding elections. Only through give and take can they reach a compromise on a consensus interim setup. A peaceful transfer of power is a must to deal with the challenges faced by the country, particularly the scourge of extremism and militancy. Understanding reached now to hold transparent elections will help to develop further consensus in the post-election days.
