SENIOR PPP leader Khurshid Shah on Friday said his party’s decision to become an ally of the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s 16-month-long coalition government was a “mistake” and sought forgiveness for the move. His comments come in the wake of withering criticism from the PPP concerning the circumstances and treatment of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif upon his return to the country, leading the PPP to express concerns about a lack of level-playing field as the country prepares for elections, expected to take place in January next year.
There is no doubt that the PPP has a history of struggle and sacrifices for the cause of democracy and constitutionalism. Its founding Chairperson, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, gave the country a consensus Constitution and also laid firm foundations of the country’s nuclear programme that made defence of the motherland invincible. Similarly, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto also struggled throughout her life for the cause of down-trodden people and credit goes to Asif Ali Zardari, who, in his capacity as President, voluntarily relinquished important powers to strengthen Parliament and democracy. Political battles between PPP and PML(N) are no new as the two remained instrumental in the past in each other’s leg-pulling that led to premature end of their governments. Those who cared for democracy heaved a sigh of relief when leaders of the two parties signed a Charter of Democracy (CoD) but that too was not followed in letter and spirit. The two parties joined hands to table a no-confidence resolution against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and formed a coalition government which was also described by commentators as a pleasant experience as no party alone was in a position to address the kind of problems facing the country. As the coalition government made bitter decisions, which didn’t go well with the people, the PPP and some other component parties are now trying to distance themselves from them in a bid to improve their electoral prospects. PPP is also facing problems in Sindh where its leadership is facing probe on different charges and there is also an impression of evolution of an anti-PPP electoral alliance in the province. The conditions of the country have not changed much and there is dire need for sincere dialogue among all political players to ensure smooth conduct of election and formation of the next government.
