Dismembered Coalition Reveals the Truth
The most awaited talks between the head of ruling parties finally ended up on a sad note, as it was feared by a number political pundits that the honeymoon between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslin League- Nawaz(PML-N)or, more specifically, between Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif will not last. Since the government formation has completed, the judicial crisis was seeking an immediate resolution, though the other issues remained a matter of serious concern for the newly elected government.
The coalition government promised the nation in the ‘Bhurban Declaration’ that judicial crisis will be solved within thirty days of the creation of the government. Thirty of the April was set as the deadline for the restoration of the judiciary as it was on November 2, 2007. Due to some complexities it would not be happened on the April 30, 2008 and the new deadline was announced in Dubai Talks by both parties that was May 12, 2008.
Last fifteen days made an environment of the country more suspicious as the PPP and PML (N) hold discussions for hours together to sort out a way, but both parties told the media that they had failed to bridge differences over the route to take for the reinstatement of the deposed judges. Leadership of both parties was there in London to hold talks on the issue. Despite the last minute intervention of the US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, London Talks collapsed.
Finally 12th May proved itself a decisive one and PML leaders reached back to Pakistan. After having long meetings with the headship of Pakistan People Party in London, Pakistan Muslim League (N) decided to quit from the federal cabinet. Nawaz sharif while talking with media that his party will not become a part of any conspiracy against the democratic government and will not strengthened the President Musharraf camp. He told the media that his party will sit on the treasury benches and will support the government according to the Charter of Democracy.
On the other hand, Co-chairman of PPP Asif Ali Zaradari has requested to Nawaz Sharif through a phone call and requested to hold his decision of resignation from the Federal Government till his return from London. He also has announced that the portfolios of the PML (N) ministers will be kept vacant and no candidate will contest against Nawaz Sharif in by-poll. He advised the Prime Mininster Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani not to accept the resignation of PML (N) ministers. He is confident that the PML ( N) would return to the fold of the coalition soon.
PPP’s stance is that an illegal and unconstitutional action cannot be undo by taking equally illegal and unconstitutional step. This domino effect will cause the fall of whole administrative system of the state. Party is reiterating that judiciary will be restored through a resolution in parliament along with a constitutional package that wil ensure the supremacy and independence of the judiciary. PML (N) stressed government that it should announce the reinstatement of deposed judges through an executive order.
So it can be analyzed that the differences between the two parties were over the modalities and not on the objective of the restoration of the judiciary. As both parties are still emphasizing that judiciary will be restored as it was promised with the masses of Pakistan,
At this point in time, media is playing a role of catalyst, different news channels are telecasting diverse version of news. Every channel is interpreting the issue in its own way to create more ambiguity among the masses. Some News channels had telecasted the news that Nawaz Sharif has declared the end of coalition. In reality he did not talk about the break up of the coalition. In the time of this kind of deadlock media should not play irresponsible role to create a state of disappointment among people. Both leaders have political heads and knew the hopes and aspiration of the people of the land. They are taking steps like shrewd politicians and playing their card tactically. As PPP’s Co-Chairman declared that PPP will continue the support of PML (N) government in Punjab. Therefore, it can be judged that coalition has not come to its end. In fact, the both ruling parties are not in the position to quit the alliance, which is pertinent to sustain democracy in the country.
The most awaited talks between the head of ruling parties finally ended up on a sad note, as it was feared by a number political pundits that the honeymoon between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslin League- Nawaz(PML-N)or, more specifically, between Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif will not last. Since the government formation has completed, the judicial crisis was seeking an immediate resolution, though the other issues remained a matter of serious concern for the newly elected government.
The coalition government promised the nation in the ‘Bhurban Declaration’ that judicial crisis will be solved within thirty days of the creation of the government. Thirty of the April was set as the deadline for the restoration of the judiciary as it was on November 2, 2007. Due to some complexities it would not be happened on the April 30, 2008 and the new deadline was announced in Dubai Talks by both parties that was May 12, 2008.
Last fifteen days made an environment of the country more suspicious as the PPP and PML (N) hold discussions for hours together to sort out a way, but both parties told the media that they had failed to bridge differences over the route to take for the reinstatement of the deposed judges. Leadership of both parties was there in London to hold talks on the issue. Despite the last minute intervention of the US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, London Talks collapsed.
Finally 12th May proved itself a decisive one and PML leaders reached back to Pakistan. After having long meetings with the headship of Pakistan People Party in London, Pakistan Muslim League (N) decided to quit from the federal cabinet. Nawaz sharif while talking with media that his party will not become a part of any conspiracy against the democratic government and will not strengthened the President Musharraf camp. He told the media that his party will sit on the treasury benches and will support the government according to the Charter of Democracy.
On the other hand, Co-chairman of PPP Asif Ali Zaradari has requested to Nawaz Sharif through a phone call and requested to hold his decision of resignation from the Federal Government till his return from London. He also has announced that the portfolios of the PML (N) ministers will be kept vacant and no candidate will contest against Nawaz Sharif in by-poll. He advised the Prime Mininster Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani not to accept the resignation of PML (N) ministers. He is confident that the PML ( N) would return to the fold of the coalition soon.
PPP’s stance is that an illegal and unconstitutional action cannot be undo by taking equally illegal and unconstitutional step. This domino effect will cause the fall of whole administrative system of the state. Party is reiterating that judiciary will be restored through a resolution in parliament along with a constitutional package that wil ensure the supremacy and independence of the judiciary. PML (N) stressed government that it should announce the reinstatement of deposed judges through an executive order.
So it can be analyzed that the differences between the two parties were over the modalities and not on the objective of the restoration of the judiciary. As both parties are still emphasizing that judiciary will be restored as it was promised with the masses of Pakistan,
At this point in time, media is playing a role of catalyst, different news channels are telecasting diverse version of news. Every channel is interpreting the issue in its own way to create more ambiguity among the masses. Some News channels had telecasted the news that Nawaz Sharif has declared the end of coalition. In reality he did not talk about the break up of the coalition. In the time of this kind of deadlock media should not play irresponsible role to create a state of disappointment among people. Both leaders have political heads and knew the hopes and aspiration of the people of the land. They are taking steps like shrewd politicians and playing their card tactically. As PPP’s Co-Chairman declared that PPP will continue the support of PML (N) government in Punjab. Therefore, it can be judged that coalition has not come to its end. In fact, the both ruling parties are not in the position to quit the alliance, which is pertinent to sustain democracy in the country.
Yawar Hayat Shah
Zamurrad Awan
