Mar 172008
| Azam Khalil |
| “Many are destined to reason wrongly; others, not to reason at all: and others to persecute those who do reason.” -Voltaire Never ever a situation has risen in which Pakistan Peoples Party has been caught not knowing whether to choose political sagacity or go for political reality. This does not mean that the party has never faced serious challenges that at times have threatened the very existence of Peoples Party. But the awareness and love generated by PPP’s founding father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto has enabled it to endure any challenge that was mounted against it. After the death of Benazir Bhutto, the mantle of Peoples Party has gone to Mr Asif Ali Zardari who is a top level politician in his own right but could quickly become vulnerable in case he does not master the art of tight rope walking in Pakistan’s political culture. Mr Zardari will have to prove that he is capable of leading a coalition government that includes Mr Nawaz Sharif and Asfandyar Wali who according to some are mature politicians with the cunning and capability to face serious challenges that come their way. Mr Zardari will also have to keep his party intact and revitalize it in some crucial areas like the city of Lahore. The poor showing of Peoples Party in Lahore where it could only win two seats out of the twelve that were available is no accident but pinpoints to the weakness of the organizational structure of the party that also exists in some other areas of the country. Peoples Party has put its faith for a very long time in those persons who have been tested time and again but never delivered in any situation. Therefore, both pragmatism and real politics demand that party affairs were streamlined in a way that improved the standing of Peoples Party in Lahore and elsewhere. A vast majority of loyal political workers have been ignored by the so called leaders who by their behaviour and attitude have alienated even the rank and file voters who could have made a difference in the outcome of the election results in Lahore. These leaders suffer with the indifference syndrome, a disease that is fatal in politics. Mr Asif Zardari while playing his cards at the national level must remember that in no case he can afford to allow erosion of support that exists for Peoples Party in Pakistan at present. While in government the top party leadership must ensure that they serve the poor people of the country in a way that alleviates their sufferings to some extent and that they project themselves as role models. Mr Zardari must be careful not to repeat the mistakes of the past when during their stints in government the party and its organizational structure were ignored to an extent where most of the party office bearers became irrelevant for the people. It therefore becomes incumbent for the top-level leadership of Peoples Party to strengthen and organize their party into a well-oiled machine that becomes capable and ready to accept any challenge that is thrown at them in future. For the present, the co-Chairperson of PPP must immediately embark on a journey that allows him to strengthen and consolidate the affairs of PPP and after that he may concentrate on the virtues of good governance. The first two months of Peoples Party’s rule would be crucial for the determination of the role the party will play in the future of this country. While the slogan of consensus and national reconciliation were a part of the sagacious moves being put in place by the leaders of Peoples Party yet political reality demands that they prepare themselves for political challenges that are bound to be mounted even by their present coalition partners who would jockey to increase their political power and influence while they enjoy the fruits of governing Pakistan. With no Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto or Benazir Bhutto to help them, Peoples Party would have to create favorable situations to remain in the mainstream only by hard political work and to organize themselves at the grass root level if they want to survive in the coming times. Every passing day is expected to increase the pressure and challenge against Pakistan Peoples Party and in case they are not prepared for a long political struggle they will have no chance to survive in the country’s slippery world of politics. The greatest challenge the party would have to face will come from Punjab where at the end of the day the opportunist elements in disgraced PML (Q) will join hands with Mian Nawaz Sharif in an effort not only to reduce the standing of the party in Punjab but also to create a situation where Peoples Party will be reduced to a regional outfit. Mr Zardari must remember that when President Musharraf bows out a major factor of collaboration between PML (N) and PPP would be removed and the alliance would be in extreme danger of falling apart. The political mettle of both Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif would then be put to test and in case they fail to show political maturity democracy, rule of law and civility could once again be damaged and another adventurer may move in to fill the vacuum. This is sure to happen if short-sighted policies were pursued by Nawaz Sharif or Asif Ali Zardari. It was therefore imperative that politicians showed commitment with democracy, rule of law, freedom of press and upholding of the constitution. Failure to do so would push back the country into darkness and then it could be another long winter before the sun shines again, a situation no one wants. Finally both political sagacity and political reality must move on arm in arm and for this to happen great patience and perseverance would be required from the political parties of the country. The mainstream political parties must understand that religious political parties were no more relevant and that after the restoration of a free and independent judiciary the lawyers should also be made to understand that agitation on issues was not the best available solution and it was only through talking with one another that truth and reason could win. One hopes that the opportunity that has come would result in strengthening the institution of democracy and take Pakistan out of perpetual turmoil and there was peace and tranquility in all corners of this country. zarnatta@hotmail.com |
Courtesy: The Frontier Post, 17/3/2008
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