Adil Najam
Not unexpectedly, the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Group) or PML(N) has decided to withdraw from the ruling coalition. Former Prime Minister and PML(N) leader Nawaz Sharif announced the expected breakup to a press conference citing irreconcilable differences on the Judges Restoration issue with the PPP and it’s leader Asid Ali Zardari. The PML(N) had already removed itself from the cabinet on the same issue.
The PML(N) leader also announced former Chief Justice Saeeduzaman Siddiqui as it’s Presidential candidate to oppose Asif Ali Zardari.
The move was not unexpected following the coalitions success in removing Gen Musharraf from the Presidency. The hope now would be that this might lead to a strong and active parliamentary opposition. However, the fear and the likelihood is that greater political bickering and instability will follow leading Pakistan politics into even more political brinksmanship.
You know, this is democracy. As painful as it may seem to see Zardari becoming president, it’s his right since he is head of the majority party with the largest number of votes in parliament.
Why is democracy good? Because once the Pakistani nation wakes up to see Zardari doing whatever he is doing, they can vote him out. Will there be a Russian Bolshevik/Chinese Communist Revolution? I highly doubt it. But there will be a change of government and yes, we shall go back to the same cycle, the same game of musical chairs.
But you know what, that is democracy and we need to let it runs its course. It’s been proven to be the best system out there. It’ll self-correct itself with having to be routed by military intervention.
I think Nawaz Sharif is now emerging as a leader of some stature. This is actaully a very good move from him.
I used to be a Musharraf supporter but now I think BOTH Zardari and Sharif are good for Pakistan because they are the people’s choice.
There is no surprise in this nor is this really bad. The Musharraf years had totally messed up teh country and you needed political unity to remove him. PPP and PMLN have shown maturity in remaining united for that goal and then parting ways.
Pakistan Zindabad
I have to echo Anwar’s assertions – I love how our country oscillates from one unelected leadership to another. I had a coworker ask me today whether Pakistan has a “revolutionary” leader, someone young who can come forward and be inspirational to the country, perhaps what Obama has done for the U.S. [depending on your U.S. political views]. The sad part in Pakistan is that many of our problems are inherent in the political SYSTEM. This therefore allows for the same corrupt leaders to be elected and re-elected again and again. As pessimistic as this sounds, I wonder if we did have an inspirational young politician from a political party come forward whether they would survive in this system and be able to garner enough votes to win an election.
I posted a poll on my site on whether Zardari should be Pakistan’s new president: http://changinguppakistan.wordpress.com/2008/08/25 /chup-poll-should-asif-zardari-be-pakistans-next- president/
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