Daily Times

PPP co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari appears to be playing a reckless game. For he has now begun to indirectly call for the ruling PTI to be dethroned for failing to deliver; despite the latter only having just begun its tenure.

Nevertheless, the former president has not outlined the mechanism under which he would like to see Prime Minister Imran Khan sent packing. After all, a vote of no confidence is the only likely constitutional means towards this end. Yet when all is said and done, it is for the people to show their elected head of government the door; in the absence of extra-constitutional foul play. And non-delivery on pre-poll mandates is no grounds for a government to be unseated. This is something that the PPP should be able to grasp better than most given its less than shining record during its decade-long rule in Sindh.

In all of this, Zardari seems to have forgotten one important truth. Namely, it is the opposition’s job to keep tabs on the Khan regime’s achievements and holding it to task where it falters. The fourth estate is already playing its due role in this regard. But to do this requires commitment to sit it out for the five-year long-haul; while working for the national interest and the betterment of the citizenry. It also means coming up with alternative policy to be debated within parliamentary confines. For one thing that the political leadership across the great divide needs to move away from is announcing policy on the go and in sound bites.

Thus what the PPP and its partners across opposition benches would do well to focus on is how to best strengthen Pakistan’s democracy. Therefore, slamming the practice of a popularly elected government relying on presidential ordinances as a means to introduce legislation might be a good place to start. What is not is the constant fixation on country’s dire fiscal straits. Especially considering that the new set-up inherited a haemorrhaging economy. That being said, the PTI absolutely needs to include representatives from the two major opposition parties in future IMF talks.

The PPP needs to contribute to the democratic process. And this must mean supporting both the assemblies and the premier as they strive to complete their full-terms.  *

Published in Daily Times, December 5^th 2018.