THE combined Opposition has, at last, submitted a notice of resolution of no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan along with the requisition to summon a session of the National Assembly in the NA Secretariat, ending speculation whether or not the opposition was serious in this regard and whether it would first table a no-confidence motion against the Speaker or the Prime Minister.
With this a flurry of political activities has begun and both sides are making claims to have options to defeat the other side when the voting on the motion takes place in about three weeks.
It is universally acknowledged that the move is purely democratic in nature but the Opposition as well as the Government will have to prove their democratic credentials by strictly adhering to the norms of decent politics and the spirit of the Constitution and the law.
This is because we have seen in the past that both the movers and defenders used foul and dirty tactics in a bid to achieve their targets and in the process they harmed the democratic process.
It was observed that besides the use of money to buy loyalties of MPs, the legislators were virtually kidnapped or taken hostage either to ensure their presence on the voting day or prevent them from exercising their right to vote.
As it is the game of numbers, which is already tricky on both sides, efforts are being made to lure in the parliamentarians sitting on the fence or those who have grievances with their parent parties.
There are already allegations from the treasury benches that the opposition was offering money and promising party tickets for the next general elections to shaky members of the ruling party.
The Government also claims it is in contact with at least eight members of the Opposition parties and if true, they might have been offered lucrative incentives for the purpose.
While any attempt to accommodate disgruntled elements of the party is understandable, purchasing of loyalties of members of the other side conveys a very unfortunate impression to the people and reflects poorly on the overall conduct and personality of the concerned elected representatives.
The situation has become very interesting as the Opposition has presently targeted the Prime Minister but a serious crisis has erupted in the largest province of the country i.e.
Punjab due to increasing strength of the Tareen group.The group is apparently in contact with the Opposition (more specifically with the PML-N) but has so far not made any announcement of support for the move of the Opposition and is instead trying to get ‘due’ recognition within the party.
The incumbent Chief Minister, Usman Buzdar, is not acceptable to the group and Aleem Khan has emerged as a strong challenger for the slot.
On the other-hand, Aleem Khan’s candidature is being opposed tooth and nail by not only the sitting CM but also by one of the major allies of the PTI Government i.e.
PML(Q) whose Pervez Elahi lays claim to the coveted office and went to the extent of ignoring an invitation for luncheon by PML(N) President Mian Shahbaz Sharif, who earlier met Chaudhrys after a long time in a bid to enlist their support for the no-confidence move of the Opposition parties.
Under these circumstances, it has become a Herculean task for the Prime Minister to satisfy his own party members in Punjab and keep the numerical majority intact as he loses Tareen group if Buzdar continues or is replaced by Pervez Elahi and might lose support of PML(Q) if Aleem Khan is accommodated.
In another development, veteran politicians and leader of PML(Q) Ch.Shujaat Hussain dashed to Islamabad to meet PDM leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman immediately after submission of motion of no-confidence by the Opposition in the NA Secretariat, deepening an impression that the party could go either way in coming days.
Victory and defeat is part of the game and, therefore, the system must not be harmed at the altar of personal egos and extremist tendencies.
Free for all politics has damaged the system and interests of the country in the past and continuity of this vicious circle would make all future governments vulnerable to leg-pulling and pressure tactics.
It is time all the parties demonstrate their commitment to the cause of democracy by adhering to the rules of the game.
