Of duels and deals

Political wrangling is underway and all are in the run to stake their claim for forming the new government at the federal level. The PTI-backed Independent candidates — with a lion’s share of 100 or so National Assembly seats officially announced to their credit — are at the vanguard, but there is no lackluster with the PML-N and PPP, either, as they are at the forefront of wheeling and dealing for making their presence felt. Reports say high-profile contacts have been established with MQM and other parties by the PML-N, and the PPP too is mulling for a pound of flesh with whosoever it rallies in realising the next political dispensation. But the catch-22 is that there is a crowd of litigation; and the fact that most of the seats are in a murky territory by virtue of claims on the basis of Form-45 will keep raising the political mercury, till the dye is cast in the next few days.

The scenario at the provincial level, however, is much clearer as the PPP goes on to resume its government in Sindh, and the PTI is undisputed in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. As Balochistan awaits the tide of temptation, it is Punjab Assembly where the duel is close to call. The PML-N believes it can get back its fort once again, whereas the PTI-combine too is in a neck-to-neck situation. Things will only smoothen as the decision of remaining provincial and federal seats are announced, and the ex-PDM parties once again go on to mull a strategy to join hands and share the booty.

PTI’s Gohar Ali Khan, in his first post-ballot press conference, has come up with an olive branch, and has vowed to form the government at the Centre and in Punjab. His contention that it’s time to start a new journey of development and reconciliation by burying the hatchet is worth appreciating, and should walk the talk. The elections, and the massive turnout, have simply posted one result on the board: the people believe in democracy and have exercised their right of adult franchise. Time to respect the mandate, and move ahead with new resolutions in sight.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th, 2024.

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