Any takers for a national govt?

Shehbaz can do well by continuing to point out government fallacies, and harness the momentum through ballot.

The idea of a national government at the Centre is not new. It is a filler of sorts that keeps on floating for reasons of political exigency. But for all practical terms, there are neither any takers nor anyone to espouse it. Thus, Leader of the Opposition and PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif’s desire to set up a national-consensus government apparently didn’t get many ears. He himself is not sure about its viability as opposition political forces are wayward and do not see through the same prism. It has only drawn castigation from the ruling party, which seems to have the last laugh over opposition’s off-and-on somersaults.

Shehbaz, buoyed with the success of the PDM rally in Karachi, reiterated his national government synopsis. He, however, admitted in all humility that it is an uphill task, and went on to point out innumerable socio-economic problems faced by the country. His thrust was to somehow orient a mechanism so that his party as well as the opposition forces find a berth in power-sharing. But he failed to spell out what would be the policy of the new set-up vis-à-vis the problems faced by the nation. It was merely a generalisation of issues with no practical approach. It was only adding to the ongoing political diatribe.

The million-dollar question is: are other opposition forces also in favour of a national government? The PPP differs, as it relies on the power of the ballot to return to power. It also says dislodging the government at this stage would breed sympathy for the ruling dispensation. It has even parted ways with the PDM. Saner political voices such as ANP, Baloch segments and the religious cadres are noncommittal. PDM’s Maulana Fazalur Rehman, nonetheless, wants to show the door to PTI through street power. Shehbaz should ponder over the opposition’s disjointedness, and also get debriefed from his own party. Maryam Nawaz and her coterie are on a warpath with the establishment, thus rendering Shehbaz’s dream of rapprochement a far cry. Shehbaz, in such a weird scenario, can do well by continuing to point out government fallacies, and harness the momentum for a change through ballot.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2021.

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