After more than six months of breaking away from the grand opposition alliance dubbed the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is seemingly again warming up to the idea of a collective and concerted effort among all major parties against the PTI government under the PDM banner. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s meeting with JUI(F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman is a thaw in relations between the two major opposition parties, a development that surely has the blessing of the PML(N)’s leadership and which will be welcomed as a meaningful step towards putting pressure on the PTI government both in and outside of Parliament.
A lot has changed since April when the PDM broke up; the PTI evidently does not enjoy the same level of support from the establishment as it did back then owing to a not so subtle confrontation over the issue of the new DG ISI’s appointment. The economy has tanked further with inflation and rupee depreciation hitting record levels, which has naturally translated into widespread unaffordability of basic food items and utilities accompanied with joblessness. An atmosphere of political uncertainty persists with new unverifiable rumours being heard on the grapevine each day, presumably based more on historical events rather than actual credible information, signaling that the PTI government may not complete its term and an in-House change or a reelection may be on the cards.
It therefore makes perfect sense for the PPP to bury the hatchet and take advantage of a situation where the ruling party is stuck between a rock and a hard place. The recent defeats the PTI faced in Parliament where the opposition successfully passed two of its bills, forcing the former to postpone a joint session of Parliament, is a very clear indication that it can no longer be sure of its numbers in either of the Houses. The PDM is planning street protests and challenging the government in Parliament, battling against its plans to introduce Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)and changing accountability laws. It is well within its rights to pursue these goals but it is imperative that protests are peaceful and its political and legislative activities are within the confines of the Constitution.
