THE political environment, which remained lukewarm for months mainly because of the situation arising out of Covid-19, is becoming tense again as both the ruling party and the opposition are engaged in mudslinging, using different tactics to pressurize each other. While the Government is focused on efforts to bring back former Prime Minister and PML(N) supremo Nawaz Sharif back from London where he had gone for medical treatment, the opposition parties are flexing muscles to launch an anti-Government movement. There is also a surge in NAB cases against and notice for appearance to the opposition parties, strengthening the impression of selected process of accountability.
The emerging situation is worrisome for those who were expecting that after two years, the Government would now take tangible measures for resolution of the real issues of the people. As things stand today, political observers believe, neither the Government nor the opposition would be able to achieve anything substantial except polluting the political environment further. This is because Nawaz Sharif went abroad for medical treatment under an arrangement that was devised by the court and consented to and implemented by the Government. Plans and desire of the Government to bring him back notwithstanding, his return is contingent upon doctors certifying improvement in his health conditions. Reaction of the government leaders to publication of photographs of MNS by media in which he has been shown strolling streets of London is unrealistic as, at times, even serious patients too come out of their homes. However, it is another thing if the Government has substantial evidence to prove its allegations that Nawaz went abroad under an NRO undertaking not to indulge in politics. In that case, Nawaz ought to respect the understanding as he has started issuing statements and guidelines to his party in Pakistan on different issues and developments. Maryam too has discarded her silence, which has disturbed the ruling party but sanity demands handling of the situation politically without raising the temperature as it is not in the interest of the Government itself. Though there are attempts at holding an All Parties Conference (APC) and PML(N) is threatening of launching street agitation after Moharram but the Government need not worry because of internal rifts and weaknesses of opposition. The Government has a vast agenda to implement in the remaining three years and its implementation requires peaceful atmosphere and working relationship with the opposition.
