Beyond the smiles lie political minefields

The government is also likely to face grilling during a joint session of parliament scheduled on Wednesday


Sardar Sikander October 04, 2016
PHOTO: PPI

ISLAMABAD: Monday’s conclave of the parliamentary parties was a success — more so because the government successfully mustered unequivocal support from all — even its political foes — in its dealing with an increasingly hostile India. Officially, it was all well, but sources say it wasn’t. The prime minister had to answer some bitter questions from opposition parties on several issues.

Nawaz Sharif had convened the parliamentary leaders and party heads in a move to send out a message to the international community in general and to India in particular that Pakistan’s politicians stand united on issues of national importance.

Pakistan and Kashmir inseparable, reiterates PM

And this was the reason that Sharif himself received participants, shaking hands with each of them with a broad smile on his face. But his affability could not save him criticism of an increasingly vocal opposition, especially PTI and PPP.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the scion of the Bhutto dynasty, was the first to question the government’s ‘disastrous’ foreign policy. Using his first appearance at a mega political event, the young PPP chairperson also heaped criticism on the government for its inaction on the Panamagate scandal, according to sources.

Panamagate is the biggest corruption scandal in the world. More than six months have passed, but the government is still dilly-dallying on an independent inquiry into the scandal,” sources quoted Bilawal as telling Sharif.

“This unresolved issue is hindering national unity. The Panama Papers Inquiry Bill of the joint opposition needs to be cleared,” he said, while referring to the bill moved by the PPP in the Senate. “Smooth-sailing of this bill in parliament is important for a prosperous Pakistan,” he added.

Bilawal was particularly critical of the government’s foreign policy. “Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had successfully retrieved Pakistan’s land from Indian occupation and secured the release of thousands of prisoners of wars from India in 1971 through assertive diplomacy and aggressive foreign policy,” he recalled with reference to the 1972 Simla Agreement. “This is how we can achieve our diplomatic goals. Diplomacy lacking political will, vision and determination will lead us nowhere.”

Indian hostilities unite politicians at capital huddle



Outside the meeting hall, Bilawal again raked up the Panamagate scandal. “The prime minister has offered himself up for accountability – but actions need to speak louder than words,” he told journalists flanked by party stalwarts. “Lack of transparency endangers national unity.”

He, however, said the PPP firmly stood behind Premier Sharif on the Kashmir policy. “Only a united Pakistan can face Indian aggression.”

But PPP’s Aitzaz Ahsan believed resolutions must be translated into actions. “Mere resolutions, declarations and statements mean nothing. It is important to materalise the decisions taken today. If these decisions cannot be implemented, then this huddle will be a futile exercise.”

PTI’s Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi came down hard on the government in general and Premier Sharif in particular for not raising the issue of India’s involvement in terrorism in Balochistan and confessions of Indian spy Kulbushan Jadhav at the 71st UN General Assembly session.

United we stand for Kashmir cause

Qureshi also censured the government for ignoring parliament, opposition and other political forces on key issues of national interest. “In such a situation, desired results are hard to achieve. Nevertheless, we are here, not because we endorse the government’s policies on all issues but because we support the government in its every effort to forge national unity against India and to highlight the Kashmir issue at every forum,” Qureshi said.

Qureshi’s hard talk prompted PkMAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai to hit out at the PTI, indirectly though. “The country stands at a critical juncture. The challenges are grave, but some people are indulging in political gimmickry,” said Achakzai, who is considered a die-hard supporter of the Nawaz administration.

Though the PkMAP chief didn’t name anyone, it is understood that he was referring to the recent march of Imran Khan’s party in Raiwind, the hometown of the Sharif family, and the party’s threat to shut the federal capital.

Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmad was not invited to the conclave because the government feared the outspoken politician might vitiate the atmosphere of national unity. However, some political parties, the PTI in particular, castigated the government for leaving out Rashid from an event which was meant to send out a message of national unity.

Balochistan National Party-Mengal boycotted the meet-up, apparently due to its reservations over the government’s policies in Balochistan.

The government is also likely to face grilling during a joint session of parliament scheduled on Wednesday.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2016.

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