There was something fishy
EVEN after lapse of two
days mystery still shrouds the circumstances that led to the substantial
and, according to interpretation by some experts, unconstitutional delay
in the holding of bye-elections to the vacant seats of the National and
Provincial Assemblies.
The leadership of the PPP has undertaken an exercise for damage control
but it appears that short of any clear-cut stance and action against
those responsible for the blunder, people of Pakistan would not be
satisfied and an atmosphere of mistrust would prevail among the
coalition partners. It was because of this that we suggested that the
Government should come out with an acceptable explanation but the way
the issue has so far been tackled amounts to creating further confusion.
PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari reportedly summoned Advisor on Interior
Rehman Malik to seek his versions and as per leaks to the media the
Party Chief almost absolved the Advisor who came under focus after
revelation by the NWFP Chief Minister that it was Malik who urged the
Province to seek postponement on the pretext of deteriorating law and
order situation. Similarly, the much-publicised meeting of Mr Zardari
with the Prime Minister to discuss the issue, which has triggered all
sorts of rumours about the motives behind the move, but there was no
official word on what transpired. In this case again, media was given
hints that the Government would be asking the Election Commission to
review the matter and hold the elections in June. It is, however,
understood that there would be some adjustments to allow those who could
not file nomination papers by the previous deadline of May 6 because of
the changed circumstances. We believe that mere reversal of the decision
would not be enough and the Government will have to demonstrate
transparency with a view to removing misgivings of its partners.
Already, it was perhaps for the first time that spokesmen and leaders of
two coalition parties — PML(N) and ANP openly and bitterly criticized
some people in the Government for conspiring against the coalition and
democratic process. With such an impression it would not be possible for
the coalition to have smooth sailing and, therefore, the issue will have
to be tackled to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
|
