Mounting pressure

Nawaz Sharif has decided to play hardball. The ultimatum he delivered to the PPP has left no doubts on this score.

Nawaz Sharif has decided to play hardball. The ultimatum he delivered to the PPP at a meeting of top party leaders in Islamabad left no doubts on this score. The question is: are the tough demands made by the PML-N possible to meet within the 45-day period Mr Sharif has laid down? The PPP has been given a few days to reply either in the positive or negative.

The demands are such that it may not be possible to make such a response. The issues are complex and, in the context of Pakistan, we all know how difficult it is to bring about change instantly. The nine-point agenda presented by the PML-N seeks, among other things, a reduction in petrol prices, the ouster of corrupt ministers, the appointment of independent members to vacant Election Commission seats and a new accountability law which follows the outline drawn up by the PML-N. Even for a government working at full capacity, this is not an easy set of challenges. For an administration within which inefficiency and disharmony often prevail, it may be impossible to implement the list of demands placed before it.

The PML-N has been in government enough times to know what problems the PPP will face. Though the 72-hour deadline originally set for a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer has been extended following the murder of Governor Salmaan Taseer, the PPP faces other difficulties. It is, for instance, locked in a struggle to keep its government intact. Talks continue with allies who have quit the coalition as well as potential new partners. The move by the PML-N is obviously aimed at piling on the pressure at this point. Nawaz Sharif has said the same agenda will be placed before opposition parties if the PPP fails to give an affirmative response. We wonder what the real purpose behind the ultimatum is. Perhaps it is designed to force the PPP to give a negative answer. After all, it is hard to see how corrupt officials can be identified and sacked within days. Perhaps the PML-N just wants to look like the good guy and force the PPP into the role of the villain.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2011.