Third month running, neither the
optimistic scenario nor the pessimistic one has come to pass, however, current
political power struggle in the country is anything but a stalemate. Government
is following a simple policy line rather word “inaction”. Hawks in the
Government ranks, in their sporadic outbursts, never miss an opportunity to
antagonize the opponents. The obvious lack of imagination and haughtiness of
the government ministers has already done enough to politically discredit PML
(N). In a pigeon like approach, government is hoping that current wave of
political
gatherings around the country will wither like Azadi March and
Inqalabi Dharna. As lack of imagination may have it, this assertion lacks
substance. It is the direct fall out of March/ Dharna that people have starting coming
out. As a well thought out move, the leadership of PTI decided to cash in on
the sentiments of people and began these mammoth Jalsas. If dots are connected,
we are heading for an agitation movement in the country. Prime Minister is
being stalked by GNG slogan. VIPs are already in discomfort because their undue
perks and privileges are being questioned. In another big shift, previously
indifferent educated lower middle class has also started taking interest in
politics. Youth is already weary of stereotype politics which hurled this
country in to wastelands of corruption, hereditary politics and incompetence. Social
media has also offered a platform to youth to vent their feelings without a
cut. These factors are snowballing the change in the country. Despite certain
grey areas in decision making, credit must go to PTI and PAT for spearheading
the drive for change.
gatherings around the country will wither like Azadi March and
Inqalabi Dharna. As lack of imagination may have it, this assertion lacks
substance. It is the direct fall out of March/ Dharna that people have starting coming
out. As a well thought out move, the leadership of PTI decided to cash in on
the sentiments of people and began these mammoth Jalsas. If dots are connected,
we are heading for an agitation movement in the country. Prime Minister is
being stalked by GNG slogan. VIPs are already in discomfort because their undue
perks and privileges are being questioned. In another big shift, previously
indifferent educated lower middle class has also started taking interest in
politics. Youth is already weary of stereotype politics which hurled this
country in to wastelands of corruption, hereditary politics and incompetence. Social
media has also offered a platform to youth to vent their feelings without a
cut. These factors are snowballing the change in the country. Despite certain
grey areas in decision making, credit must go to PTI and PAT for spearheading
the drive for change.
PPP has made wise choice to flex
their political muscle by sizeable gathering at Karachi. It served multiple
purposes. Bilawal has been incarnate. PPP’s strength in Sindh has
been reasserted through relatively weaker ground of Karachi. Probably this
gathering was extremely necessary for PPP to stay politically relevant in
political landscape. How much ground PPP has gained from this show of power,
needs to be seen. The timing of this Jalsa was also important as PTI has
already announced
the bid to hold their political pageants in Sindh in
following month. It was well planned and
executed political move to reinvigorate their support in areas of strength.
Something PML (N) failed to do in Punjab. Except Karachi, PTI has very weak
presence in Sindh. PTI’s Larkana Jalsa next month will have far-reaching
effects on the political balance in Sindh in particular and country in general.
Government’s inaction is being
dubbed as a shrewd political posturing. How much political genius is dictating
government’s political moves will unfold in due course. The human side of the Prime Minister must be
kept in mind. The sum total of his ego suggests that he might be infuriated by
the GNG movement and might be cooking up a serious revenge on his own
countrymen for not letting him ‘peacefully’ enjoy his third term. The sum total
of his political acumen suggests that he might not budge from his stance of
sticking to power ‘no matter what’. Combine the disastrous couplet of his ego and political wisdom, the emerging scenario is at best detrimental. Politics is synonymous to pragmatism. He
could have traded some space for high moral ground. Would
that, we someday have leadership at the helm which is capable of politics.
Government’s inaction is being
dubbed as a shrewd political posturing. How much political genius is dictating
government’s political moves will unfold in due course. The human side of the Prime Minister must be
kept in mind. The sum total of his ego suggests that he might be infuriated by
the GNG movement and might be cooking up a serious revenge on his own
countrymen for not letting him ‘peacefully’ enjoy his third term. The sum total
of his political acumen suggests that he might not budge from his stance of
sticking to power ‘no matter what’. Combine the disastrous couplet of his ego and political wisdom, the emerging scenario is at best detrimental. Politics is synonymous to pragmatism. He
could have traded some space for high moral ground. Would
that, we someday have leadership at the helm which is capable of politics.
It takes generations to shake the
political settings. We are witnessing that golden transition in our age. Change
is in the air. Status quo is in peril due to gaining inertia. PTI may be
credited for flag-bearing the drive but it has to carry out some regrouping. It
has to forego her addiction for fielding time tested flops of the yesteryears.
If they have learnt anything from Javed Hashmi episode, they must avoid recruiting
failed political ‘noteables’ when they march on Sindh next month. This habit has
already cost PTI a great deal. Besides other relatively lesser chinks in their
armour, they must protect their vulnerable Achilles Heel and weed out the wild
undergrowth eating up on their party’s success. We have waited long and hard
for change. And we must see a lasting change.