Punjab needs a thaw

Politics in Punjab is too bizarre, to say the least. The ensuing standoff between the treasury and the opposition has almost delayed the presentation of provincial budget, and the tug of war now is how to browbeat each other. The opposition, under Speaker Pervaiz Elahi, is gearing to summon the IG Police and the Chief Secretary in the House, in an attempt to teach them parliamentary supremacy and it means reprimanding them obviously for their alleged role on the crackdown against PTI-led long march on May 25. This is quite an unbecoming measure, and will sow the seeds of discord between the administration and political wizards on either side of divide. The government, however, is more interested in mending fences with the opposition so that smooth sailing of budget is ensured, which now depends on the largesse of the Speaker and PTI combine.

This acrimony has more to do with the larger canvas that both the political forces in the parliament are eyeing. For opposition, the failure to get the budget sail through the assembly means capitulation of Chief Minister Hamza Sharif. Whereas, the PML-N wants to let no opportunity go out of hand to weaken the PTI-PMLQ understanding, and efforts are there to dent the harmony. But as far as the province is concerned, it is suffering for weeks and months now. It is graduating into vendetta at the expense of public good. This has to be addressed in a more somber manner – and that too without plunging the country’s biggest province of 120 million inhabitants in further instability.

The province is on the verge of two major constitutional flanks: passage of budget and holding of bye-polls. Both these demand wise approach from political circles and one that is not on edgy side of vested interests. An in-house dialogue is a must and it should iron out all the irritants that have bogged down smooth functioning of the provincial business. A detente is indispensable and if it is stuck, it will have wider dividends on the mosaic of federation which is on the verge of brinkmanship. Let jingoism take a backseat in all humility. This personality feud is not helping either side.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 15^th, 2022.

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