The recent rendezvous in London to be followed by another homecoming of Dr Tahirul Qadri, the dharna specialist, this month will be seen with utmost interest this time. The pro-establishment folks are converging again. But are they going to invade without an army, is the million-dollar question.
People close to Dr Qadri and the Chaudhrys of Gujrat say the leaders of Pakistan Awami Tehrik and the PML-Q believe the countdown has begun. The government has lost its credibility, as its relations with the military establishment are touching an all time low.
After Pakistan’s largest news network leveled serious allegations against the top spy and the government maintained an eerie silence, the opportunity fell in their lap.
Muslims Leaguers have been known for switching parties. However, they always make sure they rock the boat they were sailing in before. And who understands the psyche of Punjabi politicians better than the scions of Gujrat. They had played a significant role in ascendancy of Nawaz Sharif, who ditched them repeatedly to advance his interests.
[quote]In the politics of Punjab, the players are always surrounded by dark clouds of doubt[/quote]
The Chaudhrys of Gujrat are respected for their generosity. In the politics of Punjab, the players are always surrounded by dark clouds of doubt. They are weak, vulnerable and can easily be manipulated.
If the protest rallies to be led by Dr Qadri meet any success, the PML-N may not be able to hold the ranks. Chaos would lead to major wheeling-dealing and big promises.
People close to the military establishment say it has not made any definite overtures to help destabilize the Sharif government. However, Dr Qadri, PML-Q , and PTI – and also Sheikh Rashid Ahmed – have assumed the establishment would cheer every move to topple the government.
In recent months, Imran Khan’s successful rallies have kept him in the limelight. Now with Dr Qadri coming back in collusion with PML-Q leadership, Mr Khan is wary of being pushed out of the frame. Except Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, a majority of leaders in the PTI core committee are in favor of an alliance with anti-Sharif forces.
“We have not decided to join them yet, but it cannot be ruled out. Keep guessing,” said provincial minister Shah Farman, after a meeting with the PTI chairman.
Dr Qadri claims to bring a so-called Green Revolution to cleanse the system of corruption. PML-Q’s goal is rather simple – to get rid of the PML-N government. The PTI is not going beyond its demand of electoral reforms and re-counting in four National Assembly constituencies, so far. The three detractors of Sharif are likely to converge on the minimum common agenda.
“Imran Khan is an immature politician relying on used cartridges. The government will complete its five year term no matter what happens,” claimed Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah.
In an interesting quirk of fate, Sharif and his companions are facing a similar situation in which they had entangled their opponents in the past. The IJI was cobbled against the People’s Party under the patronage of the military establishment in late 1980s. Almost a decade before that, political forefathers of the IJI had forged PNA, an alliance against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Politicians siding with the military establishment or other anti-democracy forces have never been in short supply. And this is the cornerstone of recent Qadri-Chaudhrys political engagement.
Sheikh Rashid of Awami Muslim League asserted the PML-N government would not survive beyond 2014. He expressed concern about Imran Khan sending his emissaries to Dr Qadri without consulting him. But he will not mind joining the alliance if it provides him a massive platform to exhibit his oratory skills.
Reports coming from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa indicate that the PTI chairman is deeply upset about the performance of the provincial government. At some stage, Imran Khan may decide to get rid of the provincial government because it is impeding his rise to the highest political office on Constitutional Avenue.
Things will unfold fast. Is Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif fast enough to duck and dodge the bullet?
Shahzad Raza is a journalist based in Islamabad
Twitter: @shahzadrez
People close to Dr Qadri and the Chaudhrys of Gujrat say the leaders of Pakistan Awami Tehrik and the PML-Q believe the countdown has begun. The government has lost its credibility, as its relations with the military establishment are touching an all time low.
After Pakistan’s largest news network leveled serious allegations against the top spy and the government maintained an eerie silence, the opportunity fell in their lap.
Muslims Leaguers have been known for switching parties. However, they always make sure they rock the boat they were sailing in before. And who understands the psyche of Punjabi politicians better than the scions of Gujrat. They had played a significant role in ascendancy of Nawaz Sharif, who ditched them repeatedly to advance his interests.
[quote]In the politics of Punjab, the players are always surrounded by dark clouds of doubt[/quote]
The Chaudhrys of Gujrat are respected for their generosity. In the politics of Punjab, the players are always surrounded by dark clouds of doubt. They are weak, vulnerable and can easily be manipulated.
If the protest rallies to be led by Dr Qadri meet any success, the PML-N may not be able to hold the ranks. Chaos would lead to major wheeling-dealing and big promises.
People close to the military establishment say it has not made any definite overtures to help destabilize the Sharif government. However, Dr Qadri, PML-Q , and PTI – and also Sheikh Rashid Ahmed – have assumed the establishment would cheer every move to topple the government.
In recent months, Imran Khan’s successful rallies have kept him in the limelight. Now with Dr Qadri coming back in collusion with PML-Q leadership, Mr Khan is wary of being pushed out of the frame. Except Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, a majority of leaders in the PTI core committee are in favor of an alliance with anti-Sharif forces.
“We have not decided to join them yet, but it cannot be ruled out. Keep guessing,” said provincial minister Shah Farman, after a meeting with the PTI chairman.
Dr Qadri claims to bring a so-called Green Revolution to cleanse the system of corruption. PML-Q’s goal is rather simple – to get rid of the PML-N government. The PTI is not going beyond its demand of electoral reforms and re-counting in four National Assembly constituencies, so far. The three detractors of Sharif are likely to converge on the minimum common agenda.
“Imran Khan is an immature politician relying on used cartridges. The government will complete its five year term no matter what happens,” claimed Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah.
In an interesting quirk of fate, Sharif and his companions are facing a similar situation in which they had entangled their opponents in the past. The IJI was cobbled against the People’s Party under the patronage of the military establishment in late 1980s. Almost a decade before that, political forefathers of the IJI had forged PNA, an alliance against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Politicians siding with the military establishment or other anti-democracy forces have never been in short supply. And this is the cornerstone of recent Qadri-Chaudhrys political engagement.
Sheikh Rashid of Awami Muslim League asserted the PML-N government would not survive beyond 2014. He expressed concern about Imran Khan sending his emissaries to Dr Qadri without consulting him. But he will not mind joining the alliance if it provides him a massive platform to exhibit his oratory skills.
Reports coming from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa indicate that the PTI chairman is deeply upset about the performance of the provincial government. At some stage, Imran Khan may decide to get rid of the provincial government because it is impeding his rise to the highest political office on Constitutional Avenue.
Things will unfold fast. Is Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif fast enough to duck and dodge the bullet?
Shahzad Raza is a journalist based in Islamabad
Twitter: @shahzadrez