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Ongoing Machiavellian tactics
A H RajaThe plot makers had attached high hopes in the elections. They
wanted the future elected parliament to be a replica of its predecessor
to play to the tunes of the USA so that the laid down US objectives in
the region could be achieved. The US had also not ruled out the
possibility of a political impasse as in 1971 so that it became easier
for India to deliver the hammer by the close of 2008. Assassination of
Benazir, defeat of PML-Q and unexpected impressive results achieved by
PML-N together with development of complete understanding between the
erstwhile foes PPP-PML (N) and Musharraf having become unpopular upset
their future plans. They had pinned high hopes in their blue eyed boy to
be able to change the political structure to their liking or spoil the
broth and cook another mixed dish suiting his and American taste. His
mentors in Washington felt highly disturbed to learn that the one on
whom they had relied the most had landed in thick soup and his survival
had become questionable. It was in backdrop of this worrisome scenario
that Bush despatched his two key diplomats to Islamabad .
Notwithstanding that the Kings Party had been roundly defeated, the Ch
brothers and their chief patron drew satisfaction from the fact that no
party was in a position to single-handedly form a government either at
the centre or in provinces. This factor kept their hopes of turning the
tide in their favour alive. To start with they lived on the hope that
the PPP would disintegrate from within because of rift between the
senior leadership, each vying to assume the leadership of the party.
None in their view was capable of keeping the party united. In view of
sizeable number of seats available in the kitty of PML-Q and the MQM in
the centre, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan , the two were optimistic to
form governments at the centre and three provinces by creating forward
blocs in both the mainstream parties and winning over smaller parties.
Wily Watoo has been employed in Punjab to upset the apple cart of
Shahbaz and given sufficient time for his measures. Such an exercise had
been carried out with great success after the 2002 elections.
The conspirators worked on a two-pronged strategy to accomplish their
objective. One prong aimed at dividing the PPP and the other worked on
creating misgivings between PPP and PML-N and breaking the alliance.
When the first prong failed to deliver, the plotters jumped into the
ship of PPP and aimed their guns at the PML-N. Behind the scenes efforts
were redoubled for another grand reconciliation between like-minded
political parties. This is evident from MQM¢s withdrawal of Farooq
Sattar from the contest of PM and extending unconditional support to
PPP, followed by whole-hearted support of the entire Opposition to the
newly elected PM Gilani, which was unprecedented. The idea behind such a
generosity is to win over PPP and isolate PML-N and push it to
Opposition benches.
The Opposition Members have launched a whispering campaign that the
ongoing bonhomie between the PPP and PML-N is temporary and will
collapse within three months. It is this hope which is making Musharraf
stick to his seat despite being repeatedly told to abdicate. His cronies
are still trying to bolster his sagging morale by assuring him that his
favourites will return to power sooner than later and are restraining
him from quitting. The PPP is continually being wooed to ditch
uncompromising PML-N before it is too late and warned that restoration
of judges is only in interest of Sharif brothers and would prove
catastrophic for the top leadership of PPP.
The schemers are assuring the PPP that the new alignment of
PPP-PML-Q-MQM-ANP-JUI-F will be able to achieve two-thirds majority in
the parliament, which will then proceed to validate Musharrafs second
term. The legislature will next introduce an amendment in the
constitution to restore the deposed judges and to retain PCO judges as
well. This will be subject to the response of Chief Justice Iftikhar
whether he will be willing to play the game as set by new rulers or
otherwise. Another bill will be passed whereby the powers of the Supreme
Court particularly suo motu powers, will be taken away to make
Parliament supreme and its members holy cows. Yet another bill might be
introduced to shorten the tenure of Supreme Court judges so as to get
rid of the rebellious judges who had refused to take oath under PCO.
The key to the success of this plan rests with the PPP. In case it takes
a U-turn and ditches PML-N, it will have to accept Musharraf equipped
with Article 58-2-(b) in return for an assured five-year term for the
new coalition. With this draconian Article in his hand, the wishful
supremacy of parliament can never be achieved. The PPP leaders are
somehow having a soft corner for the President and are eager to break
bread with him and continue with his concept of enlightened moderation
as well as his Kashmir and US-centric policies. This was evident from
the heavy attendance of PPP leaders on the occasion of oath administered
by Musharraf to newly elected PM Gilani and their roundabout statements.
Concurrently, Nawaz is being constantly advised by so-called saner
elements to abandon politics of confrontation and opt for reconciliation
and let bygones be bygones. He is being asked to conciliate with the
President, MQM and Q League and let go the emotive issue of judges since
CJ Iftikhar has become controversial and political. If principles and
ethics are upheld and a spade is called a spade, how is it termed as
confrontationist and against national interests? On the contrary, the
crimes of the looters, bank defaulters and scoundrels, whose tales of
evil doings had been narrated to the nation since 1996, have been
absolved in a jiffy through an infamous NRO. The cleansed crooks and
criminal elements are now defined as pragmatic and realists. The widely
criticised pardon has been justified under the plea that they had been
politically victimised and hence deserving rich compensation.
The architect of NRO as well as law makers of the last government now
want all their unconstitutional acts and wrong doings to be indemnified
as a quid pro quo. The new PM made laudable announcements and gave death
blows to Pemra Ordinance, FCR and NAB, but somehow he did not deem it
fit to seek inquests on Kargil misadventure and 12 May mayhem. The
people would have danced with joy had he scrapped the unethical NRO and
issued an executive order for the re-instatement of judges.
While restoration of judges will spell disaster for the president, MQM,
PCO judges and the elite, it will bring joy and relief to the PML-N,
lawyers community, APDM, the under privileged and the missing people. If
the judges are restored, there is a danger of clash between the
presidency and legislature since the former would not take it lying
down. If the judges are not restored as wished by the President and MQM,
there will be a confrontation between the public and legislature and the
judiciary will remain subservient to establishment and legislature for
times to come. The choice between the two has to be made by the new
leaders.
—The writer is a Brigadier (Retd) and a political analyst.
