IN a television interview, caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar spoke plainly on several issues agitating minds of some segments of the society, clearing ambiguities and putting things in right perspective. Replying to a question the PM said he was unaware of any ‘decision’ to bring the PML(N) into power, adding people would have known about the “decision” by the morning of February 9 — the next day of the general election. At the same time, the interim prime minister expressed hope that the election results would end the “uncertainty”. While emphasizing that those behind May 09 riots need to be held accountable, he said it would be wrong to punish the entire PTI on this account. He regretted that despite repeated reconciliation efforts of the state, disgruntled elements in Balochistan revert back to the same old tactics and the state has to learn some lessons.
The question as well as remarks of the Prime Minister about the alleged ‘decision’ to bring PML(N) into power came in the backdrop of repeated allegations by PTI as well as PPP that efforts are being made to clear the way for electoral victory of the PML(N). There is general impression and rightly so that these accusations are part of the strategy to make 2024 elections controversial, depriving them of the required credibility and the resultant stability in the country. The critics are basing their allegations on the premise that the PML(N) leader Mian Nawaz Sharif is getting relief from the judiciary on a fast-track basis and that obstacles were created in the way of smooth participation of the PTI candidates in the electoral process, demanding the ‘level playing’ field for the purpose. It is, however, known to all that MNS was wronged and cases against him had no substance in them. The only purpose to institute cases against Sharif and disqualify him for life was to clear the way for the PTI to reach to the corridors of power. These baseless cases are being demolished by the judiciary and the most striking aspect of the entire episode is that these cases are being handled by judges who are known for their honesty, integrity and fairness. There is, therefore, no favour for PML(N) and its leadership and only wrongs of the past are being rectified close to the general election, enabling their fuller participation in the process. As for the level playing field, PTI was leading the list of the parties that filed the nomination papers and rejection of nomination papers was nothing new. In the first place, most of the papers rejected by the respective returning officers have now been accepted by the appellate tribunals and the PTI candidates are free to contest elections. The Election Commission of Pakistan apprised the Supreme Court that more than 76 per cent of the nomination papers submitted by the PTI aspirants for the 2024 general election had been accepted. Interestingly, the National Assembly has a total of 266 general seats and PTI still has about 600 candidates to contest elections for the lower house. However, as pointed out by the Prime Minister, those who have been in hiding since the May 09 attacks will continue to face legal obstacles until they surrender. Level playing field should not mean giving free hand to law-breakers to avoid courts and judicial processes. As for PPP, it is chanting the mantra of level playing field just to attract PTI voters and supporters; otherwise it has no worthwhile electoral presence in Punjab. PPP has to blame itself for its near elimination in Punjab because of its anti-Punjab credentials including spearheading of the campaign to bifurcate the province. As Mr. Kakar hails from Balochistan and is fully abreast of all aspects of the political situation in the province, his views about pacification of militants need to be taken into consideration by all stakeholders. There are reasons to believe that some forces do not want the strategically located province to progress and prosper, therefore, they are creating hurdles in the way of smooth implementation of programmes and projects aimed at ameliorating the lot of its people. It is hoped that people of Balochistan would lend their full support to the policies and programmes of the state to address backwardness of the province and bring it at par with other provinces.
