PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz and JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman, the two firebrand leaders of the PDM. have gone on medical leave. Thankfully, neither of the two is corona positive. Presumably what ails them is exhaustion caused by recent political setbacks. First, the PDM had to postpone its much-trumpeted long march amidst an outburst between the two topmost leaders of the PML-N and PPP. While fire fighting attempts were still in progress, the PPP got Mr Giiani elected leader of the opposition in Senate with the help of ANP, JI and a few Senators with dubious links. This led to mutual verbal assaults between Ms Nawaz and Mr Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
The PML-N and JUI-F were in haste. They had envisioned getting rid of the PTI government and settling scores with the establishment in one go through resignations and the long march. The PPP being in no haste was hesitant to take any measure that could threaten its Sindh government or lead to clash with establishment. The PDM rallies provided it an opportunity to project itself in Punjab. This being a time-consuming plan, it was keen to launch a no confidence move against Punjab CM Buzdar as his replacement with former ally Ch Pervaiz Elahi would help the party achieve its aim within a shorter period
The PDM had provided both the PPP and PML-N a platform to iron out their differences. Instead both continued to follow the rival strategies. The PPP pretended that it would offer resignations as the final tactic while the move was not in consonance with its reliance on parliamentary wheeling dealing. The PML-N and JUIF tried to force the decision with the help of other parties some of which had insignificant or no representation in parliament. They accused the PPP of violating democratic principles by not adhering to the majority decision, forgetting that united fronts like PDM can only be run through consensus rather than majoritarian diktat.
Only a strong and united opposition can forcefully defend the common man’s interests under a fumbling and incompetent administration and replace the hybrid system with democracy. Both PPP and the PML-N are never tired of claiming that they have learnt a lot from past mistakes. In case they sacrifice the opposition alliance in pursuit of narrow party interests, they would find few buying their claim.
