Hot and cold is blowing in the federal capital as political gimmicks are in vogue. The Thursday night high-drama at the Parliament Lodges followed by police action to evict its undesired guests had almost blown the lid. It is, nonetheless, a good omen that better sense prevailed, and stakeholders watched their steps well in time. The intrusion of JUI-F supporters into the lodges is a riddle, and it is not clear what political capital was meant behind it. Members of Ansarul Islam, a banned outfit, apparently were brought in by the JUI-F to provide security to the opposition legislators on the fateful day of no-trust motion. But the real intention behind it remains an enigma — and this piece of activity has, in fact, taken the opposition’s rank and file too by surprise. Ensuing developments came as a blow to the opposition as all the held-up legislators were released by police, and the momentum faded away in thin air.
But as they say the devil is in the details, things are amassing up behind the curtain. Rigid polarisation is evident. As far as the opposition is concerned, its stakes are high as the onus to prove majority in the Lower House is on their shoulders. The government’s strategy to keep its legislators, and allies, away on the day the motion is tabled has unnerved the opposition. This means the digit of 172 will keep on haunting, and might prove to be an uphill task.
As a legal valve, the ruling PTI wants the Speaker to invoke the defection clause under the 18th Amendment on those who opt for floor-crossing, and this could turn the tables. Likewise, simmering political activity in Punjab and the emergence of forward blocs in the ruling dispensation are factors that will keep the government on its toes until and unless the motion is put to vote. The PML-N, the PPP and the so-called dissident members of Aleem and Tareen groups would be better advised to keep their cards close to the chest, and desist from media mongering to avoid instability and lawlessness.
Prime Minister Imran Khan is seized with a difficult moment, and it would be far better if parliamentary precedents are upheld and the no-trust motion is dispensed at the earliest. The country will be hosting a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers on the eve of Pakistan Day, and political bickering will be the most unwanted thing in its midst. While the Chinese foreign minister will also be here, it is expected from political forces across the board to scale down the tensions, and work amicably in their law-defined political ambit. The opposition has every right to contest the government, but it shouldn’t be at the cost of incurring chaos.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed’s decision to deploy paramilitary forces on the day of show of hands is a prudent step. Legislators from both the sides should exhibit decency, politeness and perfection of the trade of politics by browbeating adversaries on the floor of the house and not in corridors and alleys. Politics is all about the art of possibilities, and not of pushing the populace in quandary and quagmire.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 12th, 2022.
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