THOUGH it was a routine annual gathering to mark the (13th) death anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto but the event achieved significance as it was attended by leaders of the component parties of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), who used the occasion to advance the cause of the Alliance. It was for the first time that the event was attended and addressed by otherwise rival parties as well, especially the top leadership of PML(N), which was represented by a delegation headed by its Vice President Maryam Nawaz.
The expression of solidarity with PPP on the occasion of the death anniversary of a leader, who was hugely popular and cared for the country and the democracy, augurs well for promotion of the cherished objective of national unity. PPP leaders and workers from Punjab and other provinces have regularly been attending ceremonies at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh but a strong representation by leaders of other provinces makes a difference and sends a message of brotherhood and amity to people of Sindh. The gathering was, indeed, a glowing tribute to Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who sacrificed her life for the cause of the people and democracy. The event itself and speeches of the leaders of the constituent parties of PDM made on the occasion have also transmitted some other signals as well. No doubt, JUI(F) was represented by its senior leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri but absence of head of the PDM — Maulana Fazlur Rehman — meant that all was not well within the Alliance. While some circles believe that decision of the Maulana not to attend the anniversary gathering had something to do with local rivalries between JUI(F) and PPP, there are also rumours that Fazlur Rehman and PPP leadership differed sharply over the strategy of the Alliance especially on the issue of resignations. Though leaders of the PDM including Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reiterated their demand that Prime Minister Imran Khan should resign by the deadline of January 31, adding that the failure to do so would force the PDM to give practical shape to its threat of mounting a long march on Islamabad but PPP’s Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, who addressed the gathering through video link, hinted that his party might not go along with other PDM parties on the issue of resignations and even on the matter of long march. His remarks that the Imran Khan-led government could be toppled but an ‘out-of-the-box strategy’ will have to be adopted to remove him from power are being interpreted by independent analysts as unwilling to go for resignations. He has also proposed a ‘fill-up jails’ strategy to force the government to resign which means instead of resignations and long-march the PPP is in favour of courting arrests.
Bilawal, in an apparent effort to placate the guest leaders, announced that there would be a long march after the deadline of January 31 and also asked workers of his party to get prepared for the purpose. It is also important to note that another PPP leader and former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf remarked that Shahbaz Sharif has to be in Parliament if the Government was really serious in initiating dialogue with the opposition. Political observers believe that verbal claims notwithstanding the PPP was not willing to sacrifice its Sindh Government and that is why it has decided to participate both in by-elections and Senate polls ahead of a collective decision by the PDM. There are also internal differences within the JUI(F) on the issue of how to proceed ahead and rumour-mongers claim differences might surface within other parties close to the deadline. Things would become clear when PDM leaders meet to consider different issues but the situation demands a review of strategy by the Alliance in view of challenges facing the country due to the second wave of Coronavirus, fragile economic situation and potent threats on the external front. There have been suggestions from saner and patriotic elements that the government too should refrain from its rhetoric and extend an olive branch to the opposition, which must not be construed as an NRO. Accountability process can continue but the impression of meddling of the government in the process should come to an end and at the same time talks should be held with the opposition on finding solutions to critical challenges that confront the country.
