Amidst Democracy

Written by Dr. Faisal Ranjha

Many in this country of pure consider "Asif Ali Zardari", one of the most shrewd politicians this country ever witnessed in it's 65 year history, despite taking this country's economy to its historic low, setting new records of corruption and nepotism but his admirer are of the view that he helped or rather i should say tried for Federation Of Pakistan, successfully removing Mushraf from Presidency and placing himself in Presidency considered on of his greatest victory and master strokes, completing his five year tenure again considered his accomplishment as are much trumped PPP amendments in constitutions. But now the question arises, are these so called PPP achievements and attainments were possible without the help of a steady and mature opposition done by PMLN Nawaz Sharif??. Infect at the end of the day these mistakes cost PPP the GE 2013 and limited them to Interior Sindh hence a regional party from a Federating one.

Zardari Sahib seems on a suicidal mission, here I completely agree with many that even Dictators not able to conquer the courage of Jiyalas neither they were able to dent PPP fort but Zardari Sahib with his miraculous politics better known to him has literally forced PPP back to the wall. PPP latest decision to Boycott the Presidential Election's may seem the last nail in PPP coffin, as it has ousted PPP from Democratic process, at the same time given room to Imran Khan to establish himself a very seasoned and mature politician, a missing link in Kaptaan's politics or maybe he too was waiting the right moment. Secondly PPP was trying to make a comeback in politics with a bang with the mere perception that MQM will side them and maybe Imran Khan will follow them in boycotting the Presidential Elections. PPP is forgetting the very fact they had nothing to offer to MQM as PPP is not in Power in Federal Government, secondly Zardari Sahb about to lose his Presidency as final numbers tell us after the Presidential Elections even if MQM boycotted the elections "Mamnoon Hussain" would have won easily and convincingly. PPP may have thought that MQM and PMLN differences are like the Himalayas, not bridgeable but forgetting that during their own reign when MQM would leave the Government every second day and rejoin them even more quickly. Altaf Bahi right now needs Federal Government more than the provincial one as pending inquiry in Scotland Yard regarding Imran Farooq Murder and Money Laundering probe resulting from that murder inquiry, British Media too exerting tremendous pressure on the British Government to move on with the case, take it to its logical end.

PPP latest decision to Boycott the Presidential Election's may seem the last nail in PPP coffin

Media reports suggest that high level delegations visited PTI Imran Khan to convince him to boycott Presidential Elections but Imran Khan despite showing his reservations, participating in the Democratic process, leaving PPP in the lurch and in no mans land. Infect Shah Mehmood Quershi responding to their request by asking them to support PTI candidate and not to boycott the Elections. Definitely Imran Khan has emerged as an Opposition leader, shifting lime light from PPP to PTI.

Now question arises what made PPP to boycott the Elections, make them controversial if we look at the candidate "Mamnoon Hussain' a very humble and down to earth guy with a political history of standing against a Dictator, belonging to a middle class family, an IBA graduate, after decades when a Middle Class self made guy equally respected by all political parties enjoying a very good reputation in Media, above all a Sindhi and Urdu Speaking about to make it to Presidency, why make him controversial ??.

PPP's animosity against the Supreme Court of Pakistan not hidden from anyone, PPP think they were dealt harshly and heavy handed by the Honorable Courts but Courts think otherwise that that they are doing their job according to the Constitution. Latest decision where Supreme Court allows Presidential Election Date to moved back irked PPP, they think their plea not listened, they are not given enough time to canvass for the Elections but final results of the Presidential Elections clearly show PMLN candidate won overwhelmingly, it wouldn't have made any difference to his final tally of votes. So why this bitterness and displeasure shown by PPP??.

PPP going through their historic low due to their own deeds and faults, Imran Khan contrary to popular belief has become a threat to PPP existence as shown by last GE, PMLN retained and able to get all the Muslim League and most of the right wing vote, while Imran Khan dented PPP vote bank in addition to his youth vote, so PPP needs to up the anti, had to prove themselves the real opposition, get Media attention which clearly tilting towards PTI as an opposition party. PPP miscalculating that MQM and PMLN are poles apart, never meant for each other, but PMLN swallowing the bitter pill to legitimize Presidential Election because with MQM and PPP boycotting the Elections, PMLN wouldn't be able to legitimize the Presidential Election as main stream parties from Sindh boycotted the Polls, so at the end of the day it seems a marriage of convenience where both parties taking something home. PPP were too scared that they might get exposed in the Senate and Sindh Assembly, reports already in press that strong group's inside PPP ranks revolting against PPP decision makers ( Asif Ali Zardari ). Finally PPP thought that it's the right time to launch a full scale assault against Supreme Court as since new Government has taken over particularly Interior Ministry ( FIA ) under Ch Nisar has expedited the pending corruption cases against PPP big wigs. Two former Prime Minister's about to be arrested any time in billions of rupees corruption charges, many other former Federal Ministers and PPP cronies under the FIA radar. Most importantly as President Asif Ali Zardari about to leave the Presidency with it that Constitutional immunity gone as well, the old witch of Swiss Cases about to haunt PPP again. This Presidential Boycott was a mere smokescreen to launch an assault on Courts, making them controversial, terming them Pro PMLN so decisions against PPP become controversial. ( We already have seen, the Supreme Court has started tightening screws on this Government as well, as Aviation Minister made to resign on Dual Nationality, Chairman PIA also made to resign as was appointed violating earlier Supreme court judgement).

                                                                     Jiyala's protesting (1970's)

So PPP makes a grave mistake, maybe a final nail in their great political struggle, making decisions in haste, they must remember their historic struggle for Democracy, as BB once boycotted Elections under Zia's Rule she ruined that decisions years to come. Similarly PPP took part in the 2007 Presidential Elections despite all the reservations of theirs. As Democratic forces thrive upon Democratic norms and process, we have seen that during the Presidential Elections PPP is going to back burners, PTI candidate Justice Waji u Din taking all the Lime Light. PPP from now on must take each and every step very carefully and wisely because time is running out for them, there is no Zulifiqar Ali Bhatto and Benazir Bhatto to bank on.

NOTE  Democracy always thrived and remained un-harmed under the Presidency of Ch Fazal Allahi, the likes of Rafique Tarar, But always remained controversial when occupied by Dictators Gen Zia, Gen Yahya Khan or Democratically Elected but Powerful Presidents like Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Farooq Leghari, Asif Zardari.