Daily Times

It is amusing to hear a call for unity fromextremely polarized opposition benches to challenge the highly distracted federal government. Opposition has signaled to hold APC after Eid to form an anti-government alliance. Our political elite has an interesting habit of fixing the dates of important events in relation to upcoming festivals and national days. In this particular case,if APC takes place after the Eid then next major events are likely to be scheduled in relation with 14th August and Ashura activities.

While opposition is portraying to be extra worried about the well-being of public in all verbal claims, traditional calls for APC sessions and forming up of joint steering groups seem to be routine political eye wash acts. According to verbal claims both, ruling and opposition, sides are busy chasing some invisible self-created noble goals to change the fate of masses. Interestingly, leading opposition party the N-league had been using the same shield of arguments to defend its flawed governance which is now in the hands of PTI. Nothing has changed much for the masses except the sides of very political rivals. Second major flag bearer of opposition’s holy cause, the PPP is also facing multiple challenges on account of its past and present objectionable governance as ruling party in center and the Sind.

All well-worded spicy criticism of PPP chairman on federal government exactly fits upon the present Sindh government too. Most of the federal cabinet members are those seasonal birds who migrated from PPP after judging the direction and speed of political winds. No doubt PTI has miserably disappointed in delivering the promised goods to the public so far. Failure in reducing the economic burden from common man has deeply damaged the repute and exposed the ruling party to heavy criticism. Who can forget that economic genius called Hafiz Shaikh was once part of PPP cabinet.

Sooner or later, an introspection will reveal that preferring side shifter electable over hardcore party ideologues was a major political mistake of PTI leadership. A change at grass root level can only take place with the joint efforts of well oriented hardcore ideologues. A party may gain a momentary success in reaching the power corridors by using the shoulders of electable para shooters but it will surely fail in implementing the corrective agenda conflicting with the interests of its ill intended temporary supporters. This is exactly happening with the PTI during its two years troubling period in power chair.

Under such disappointing political conditions, pinning hopes for a change through political alliances and APCs is nothing but living in fool’s paradise

PTI’s ill prepared entry in power arena, bad engagement with para shooters and wrong selection of advisors have fallen very heavily on the masses. Sugar, despite being a local product, went out of control. Price of wheat is rising persistently against all governmental claims. Currency slump has remained the worst so far. Gas rates were raised beyond the usual expectations during winters. As an unusual move, no increment was granted in pay and pension of the government employees. Reports about upcoming rise in rates of electricity, gas and fuel on the dictation of IMF are more horrifying.

Fall of pandemic in first quarter of this year snatched every bit of good left with the common man. Unfortunately, it is not that only government failed in deliverance rather whole democratic mechanism seems malfunctioning. Democracy means nothing without a potent and credible opposition. There are many democratic ways and means available with opposition to keep the ruling party on right path. Unfortunately, opposition has also failed in playing its due corrective role for the overall betterment of the society. During all recent crises, opposition was always seen busy fighting the war of words with least inclination towards matters of public interest. Debates on the floor of the parliament badly lack the decency, objectivity and political acumen.

Baseless criticism on rivals and undue appreciation of own party heads are the only essential ingredient of every political talk. Unexpectedly, opposition could not generate worthwhile debate on highly contentious matters of price hike, shortage of food items, artificial interruption in fuel supply, shortcomings in public health sector and pay packages. Highly sensitive security matters at internal and external fronts have also been sufficiently ignored by rusty political elite. Serious developments in Afghanistan, Iran, China and Kashmir require deliberate attention to form robust sustainable policies. Deep addiction with petty disputes has blocked growth of political acumen in party circles.

Dynastical tendencies are so deep rooted in parties that grey haired veterans often seen kneeling as hand packed yes man in front of inexperienced party leaders. Under such disappointing political conditions, pinning hopes for a change through political alliances and APCs is nothing but living in fool’s paradise. An incompetent and ill prepared ruling regime cannot be rectified by those who themselves are part of the problem. Contributions of PPP and N-league towards economic and governance failure are beyond any doubt. Failure of recent government doesn’t make past rulers competent geniuses.

Only a fool hardy will believe that a divided and disorientated opposition can bring a good change. Few months back, when JUI-F marched to topple the government with the weapon of Sit-in , PPP and PML-N could not step forward to join the suit. PPP declined to vote for Shahbaz Sharif during election of leader of the opposition. It is evident that old political circus of alliances will be replayed with new posters. People laugh when PPP leadership talks about good governance having burden of miserable performance in Sind at its back.

Likewise, N-league’s criticism on dual nationality and off-shore assets seems a serious joke once party leader himself is staying abroad with his sons who both happened to be UK nationals. Country needs something better than upcoming non-productive replay of old political circus in the name of anti-government movement.

The writer is a freelancer