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.
Zardari is a big liability for democracy as well as the PPP. Many people were saying that the political system should be given another chance. If Zardari is bent on proving them wrong, then I would rather have him thrown out before his actions give another general a chance to take over. I think the main responsibility here lies on the shoulders of his own party and those who vote for them to get rid of Zardari before he does more damage. Also, people who have been making a case for Zardari in the media need to reconsider their stance.
Just when you thought things couldn’t get any more strange:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/26/washington/26dip lo.html?ref=asia
After years of Musharraf ignoring the issues of real people I hope that whoever has power will now start doing so.
Khadija:
Sorry to burst your bubble, but Musharraf had already transferred power after February and was a mere figurehead President. If these parties had indeed “matured” as you claim, they would have actually payed some attention to the people’s problems like atta, law and order, traffic, economy etc. The parties instead focused on just politics. I say welcome back to the 1990’s.
I hope the conversation will soon change to people’s real problems of survival and food and energy rather than this personal thing about Musharraf or Zardari