Adil Najam
A number of our commenters have been suggesting that the honeymoon between PPP and PML(N) – or, more specifically, between Asif Ali Zardari and Mian Nawaz Sharif– will not last. That the “judges issue” will bring the demise of this coalition.
While one has been hearing such talk from the inception of the coalition, I myself am not sure. And by that I mean, I really do not know. In many ways it is a new Asif Zardari and a new Nawaz Sharif. Whatever views we have of them are, by definition, rooted in experiences that not only happened quite long ago but also in very very different circumstances. This is a very different time, a very different situation, a very different game. This is not to say that I think the coalition will, in fact, survive either the judicial crisis or other crises to come. It is merely to say – bluntly and honestly – that I really do not know.
And because I do not, maybe it is best to ask our readers what they think.
Hence, this APT Poll (its also been quite some time since the last one). Let us know what you think.
A good article on the bielection conspiracy
HERE
I agree with Zaffar. The judges issue seems to be tearing the two parties apart. True to his nature, Nawaz Sharif is being confrontationalist. He does not seemed to have sobered down after all these years in exile. He comes out with all these declarations and deadlines and fails to see recognize the consequences. A package to reform the judiciary seems more pertinent to me than just reinstating the old judges (who took oath under a PCO themselves)
Although an injustice has been done against the judges and Musharraf has surely no right to stay on as President, I have to say that the people of Pakistan must grudgingly accept that we are in an economic and security crisis that must take precedence over the judicial issue and the Musharraf issue.
it is an unnatural coalition and should not be there because mutiple parties and strong opposition in parliament is important
So once Mush goes then coalition goes
It will be a political suicide for several political parties, especially PMLN if Musharraf manages to yank PPP away from PMLN. Remember: Until BB landed in Pakistan on Oct. 18th the same ‘Lion of Punjab’ was unceremoniously (and illegally)rounded up and sent back to his Suroor Palace in Saudi Arabia. That NS stands as a ‘leader’ today is mostly because of the blame-PPP-NRO and the PPP persuading NS to contest the elections. The ego-maniac with dull brain called NS leading the PMLN is nothing but a symbol of the majority province to try to assuage that province’s ego by making a leader of out him. Even a few days ago NS was reportedly refusing to contest byelections because he does not want to be a ‘mere MNA now when he was the twice elected PM before’. Quite some Amir ul Mominoon!
I am angry at the PPP folks for being too nice to these clowns of the so-called Muslim League. For a decade these Muslim Leaguers (Including NS) sat on Zia’s lap when journalists, lawyers, political workers were LITERALLY hanged and flogged in public and yet PPP fails so miserably in exposing the crimes of these clowns. Why? Why can there be instantly available videos of a young Bilawal partying in England on YouTube after BB’s murder when we don’t see the statements, pictures, videos of these ruthless wanna-be ‘democrats’ of PML-A-Z?
As to the question of whether the coalition is going to stay together I’d say that Asif Zardari, despite being in prison for 8+ years, is willing to take on Musharraf when the time comes–sorry, this ‘Asif Ali Zardari being American puppet’ is noting but a ’90s mentality and a slap on 10 million Pakistani voters’ face. But NS is so desperate to take revenge for his less than 2 years of prison that he seems almost willing to open Musharraf’s skull. Quite a politician.
@ Its time that Rehman Malik should go home !
he is proved to be the first hurdle of the coalition,
he must be thrown out !!! and now !!!