Despite three years in power, Imran Khan failed to establish a working relation with the opposition. This caused a lot of undeserved suffering to the Opposition which it bore stoically. Now it is the turn of the PTI government to face the consequences, particularly after the government allies are still not willing to support its policies without prior consultations.
The government may ultimately win over the allies by offering more kudos, provided the establishment is helpful. As things stand the establishment cannot afford the fall of the government and consequent chaos. So far the establishment has failed to work out an alternative arrangement. The move by PML-N against Sadiq Sanjrani is considered a litmus test to gauge the neutrality of the establishment.
In a move seen by critics of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) as a Chutzpah, two federal ministers facing allegations of contempt of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have been inducted into a reconstituted parliamentary panel on appointment of ECP members. Does it indicate that the government still believes that the since the establishment has no alternative, it can get away with blue murder?
The opposition’s move to unseat the arch survivor Senate Chairman is seen by the opposition as a trial balloon. The idea is that if “get Sanjrani” succeeds, “‘Get Imran” will become easier, perhaps even inevitable.
The logic behind the ‘Get Sanjrani’ operation goes something like this: his three victories — first election as chairman, surviving the vote of no confidence, and re-election as chairman — were directly linked to the support of the establishment. It was this support that magically moved votes from the opposition to the treasury benches. But the fresh air from last month carries a whiff of neutrality. If the establishment is therefore stepping back — which is all that the opposition wants for now — then the opposition’s wafer-thin majority should hold in the Senate. With no late night phone calls weaving magic means the numbers stay on their side of the aisle. If this be so, Sanjrani will fall. If he falls — goes the logic — it will be the first and clearest evidence that the establishment has indeed turned neutral. This in turn means that the PM is alone.
What stands in the way of the great strategy are the differences between the opposition, particularly the PML-N and PPP. While struggling against the PTI both have eyes fixed on leading the next government.
