Nasim Ahmed


With its Taxila public meeting the PML-N has launched its promised nationwide protest movement for the ouster of Prime Minister Gillani. Addressing a large crowd of supporters, Mian Nawaz Sharif said Gillani was a convicted man who had forfeited his constitutional, legal and moral right to continue as prime minister. He charged that the Zardari-Gilani duo was indulging in massive corruption and the time has come to oust them from power. He said that the PML-N was struggling for democracy and supremacy of law and the constitution and people should support the party in its struggle.

On May 06, the PTI chief Imran Khan put up his promised tsunami show against the government in Islamabad and gave a call to the country's youth to support him in rescuing Pakistan from the clutches of corrupt rulers. He said that if convicted PM Gillani won't step down in compliance with the Supreme Court order, PTI would organize the largest march in the history of Pakistan. He said an independent judiciary was essential to a true democratic order and realizing the vision of a new Pakistan and the PTI will spare no effort to achieve the goal.

From the mood of the leadership of the PML-N and the PTI, it is clear that they are serious in launching and sustaining a movement against the PPP government until its ouster from power. They have calculated that time was never more propitious to start a concerted move to topple an unpopular government. The masses are disillusioned and disgruntled, while the sword of disqualification is hanging over its PM. The government was never more vulnerable and it is time to strike hard.

According to media reports, the PML-N has already strategized its various options in order to gradually increase pressure on Gillani's government. These include protests inside Parliament, street demonstrations and linkages with other stake-holders, including the PPP allies, to force Gillani out of office. Other proposed measures include withdrawal of protocol from the prime minister during his Punjab visit and tabling a resolution against Gillani in the provincial assembly. The ultimate weapon will be a Long March to Islamabad to paralyse the working of the government.

But the opposition movement now starting has some negative aspects as well. Although, both the PML-N and the PTI are out in the streets against the government and they are working towards the same goal, there is no coordination between them. Imran Khan, who has no love lost for the PML-N and is continually attacking it for its soft policy towards the government, has set the condition that it must quit the Assembly if it wants to join hands with the PTI.

The PML-N has not so far responded, but it is obvious that for the moment the PTI's conditions are not acceptable to it. However, it has other allies to turn to and they include Jamaat-e-Islami, various religious groups, different factions of the Muslim League and independents. Reportedly, contacts have also been established with the JUI-F's, Maulana Fazlur Rahman, and some Sindhi politicians disillusioned with the policies and performance of the PPP government.

It seems that the PML-N has now learned from its previous policy of not taking on board potential allies and decided not to go it alone this time. The party has also contacted members of the PPP old guard like Naheed Khan and an assorted group of independents not happy with the PPP style of governance and its running battle against the judiciary.

The objective behind these political moves is not only to pave the ground for the success of the proposed Long March, but also to exercise the option of moving a no-confidence motion against the government in the National Assembly which will finally erase the sobriquet of "friendly opposition'' slapped on the party by its critics, including Imran Khan.

It has been reported that while carrying on its anti-Gillani agitation, the PML-N will propose four options to the government to resolve the crisis: Ask for the resignation of its premier; dissolve the assemblies; establish a caretaker set-up and announce the date for general elections. But the indications so far are that the PPP high command is in no mood to make any concessions and will prefer political martyrdom rather than surrender in the face of opposition pressure when the elections are not far.

If nothing works, the PML-N may also create a constitutional deadlock in the country by having the provincial government lock horns with the PPP at the centre. With all official transactions between the Centre and the province suspended, the business of state will come to a halt, necessitating the intervention of a third force to separate the feuding parties and broker a solution.

Observers of the national scene are of the view that if no party gives way and a gridlock results we may see a repeat of the Kakar formula to resolve the crisis. Let us see what is in store for us in the days ahead.

-Cuttingedge