PPP's locus standi

The PPP is thinking out loud, apparently seeking a pound of flesh from its ally at the Centre, the PML-N. Its position on the floor of the house that no legislation will be passed without consensus does not raise eyebrows. But interestingly, it has come at a time when the demand for new provinces is on the table. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the PPP chairman, has tried to take the high moral ground by saying that no decision on new administrative units will be made in contravention of the people's desire. That squarely means the PPP will resist new delimitations in Sindh, where it commands a majority. That is tantamount to having your cake and eating it too. The Bhutto party, which has ruled the province for nearly two decades at a stretch, seems unbothered by its dilapidated status. Now it is set to obstruct moves by other political forces in the province for its devolution into smaller administrative units.

The federal coalition partner flexed its legislative muscles too, objecting to the tabling of the bills in the parliament, stating it wasn't taken into confidence. Yet, it voted for the bills, invoking the law of necessity. In other words, the PPP is desperate to play on both sides of the wicket. Its hobnobbing with the PTI after more than three years of estrangement is also a case in point. That, however, is a good omen for political stability, meant to bring the opposition along on proposed new legislation. How that impacts the PML-N is anybody's guess, as Bilawal's body language suggests that he is keeping his options open, including potentially going solo or aligning with the PTI.

Bilawal's new stance does little to alleviate the political instability prevailing in the country; rather, it sets up fresh stumbling blocks against systemic reforms and necessary power-sharing through new administrative units.