A string of resignations from the caretaker setup in Balochistan, the most notable of which has been former caretaker interior minister, Sarfaraz Bugti, gives further credence to those foreseeing a surprise by Zardari Camp. Increasingly desperate to capture the lion’s share of seats, the father-son duo can be seen attending party profiles in different corners of the country.
The emotional punches drawing parallels with PPP’s prior struggle against a grand Pakistan National Alliance have taken a step back as party leadership is asked to forge alliances with anyone, anywhere. The sight of Mr Bugti donning the tri-colour muffler as he preached development and prosperity to a thumping party convention in Turbat was a culmination of the same script.
From the looks of it, he eyes support to finally win PB-10 (Dera Bugti) after an unsuccessful stint in 2018 against late Nawab Akbar Bugti’s grandson, which, in turn, would pave the path for his chief ministership. Although the next act of the blue-eyed, posterchild for Balochistan’s security issues remains to be seen, it would be worthwhile to consider that his interpretation of Article 224 smacks of controversy. There’s widespread uncertainty among the legal eagles over whether members of the caretaker setup actually qualify for participation in general polls. Not everyone agrees that simply handing in a letter five minutes before midnight can neutralise the mandate of being a part of the caretaker setup.
The thrilling three-ring power show aside, this about-turn in the priorities of those who were appointed by the state as custodians of the democratic journey is bound to cast aspersions on the entire setup. Should one take the long list of headline-worthy initiatives with a pinch of salt? The last few months have seen many other ministers rising to the occasion as they sat in front of cameras and promised to find the magic word before elections. Now that some of them have begun to jump off the ledge, would the much-talked-about privatisation drive, for instance, also be connected to a grand scheme to appease the political bosses? The games have just begun! *