Enter PDM2
Seizing the advantage of winds blowing in their favour, the PMLN and PPP have reincarnated PDM2. It is also for the first time in parliamentary history that the majority party of Independent candidates who returned under the PTI banner will be taking the opposition benches in duress. A plethora of issues – ranging from several controversial decisions of the Election Commission and the inability of the independent candidates to secure their victory notification as per Form-45 in real time – have pushed the PTI to the corner. Nonetheless, it is close to call until and unless the President of Pakistan in his discretion decides to invite whomever to form the government at the federation. But the pie of power divided between the ex-PDM parties is the writing on the wall.
The power-sharing formula is, however, tantamount to an alliance of the unwilling. With the presidency and almost all of the constitutional offices going to the PPP, the PMLN under Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership will have to brace itself for unpleasant storms of governance as they go on to fix an economy that is dwindling, and a galvanising societal political unrest on the streets. The desire of the minority parties to form a government, without an expressive mandate for them in the February 8 ballot, will surely be contested tooth and nail by the PTI on all legal forums. Moreover, the opposition flexing muscles out of the parliament in the form of religious factions, ANP and Baloch nationalists will be tough to handle.
It is quite unfortunate that Pakistan will be far away from political stability, an element which was badly needed, and for which an overwhelming turnout was posted by the populace. The fact that the mandate of the masses is being engineered under one pretext or another will reflect badly on the international fora too, raising credibility questions for the new government. All that is desired is to uphold the constitutional writ, and kick-start a new phase of political rapprochement. Taking extreme positions by either side will be detrimental to national interests.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2024.
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