MINISTER for Interior, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, who is known for his political acumen, has brushed aside rumours about a possible change saying that the Government still enjoys good relations with the establishment.
Talking to newsmen in Karachi on Sunday, he also expressed the confidence that PTI Government would complete its five-year term.
Leaving aside whether the optimism of the Minister was based on some tangible information or it was his personal analysis of the ground realities, there seems to be no reason to differ with him as normal political situation prevails and there is no extraordinary development or crisis.
The Government also enjoys its numerical majority in Parliament as highlighted by the passage of a number of bills in the joint session of Parliament despite stiff resistance by the opposition.
No doubt, the opposition (Pakistan Democratic Movement) has announced a long march on the occasion of Pakistan Day but this is not considered to be a formidable threat to the Government in view of internal weaknesses and differences of the constituent parties and the fact that the PPP and ANP are not interested to subscribe to the goals of the PDM.
Sheikh Rashid surely has a point when he candidly acknowledges the failure of the Government to hold the corrupt accountable.
In this connection, he has rightly pointed out the helplessness of the Government in tackling the challenges thrown by mafias like sugar, wheat, poultry, medicines and vegetable ghee and edible oil.
Mafias in these and other sectors minted billions at the cost of miseries of the people and the Government could not take any worthwhile action except issuance of some statements.
No doubt, the electorate voted PTI into power in the hope that it would tackle the menace of corruption and bring about a healthy change in the life of the people but the accountability process is centred around a few political families and personalities while others had a field day.
The instance and level of corruption in police, judiciary and public dealing organizations has increased alarmingly, compounding miseries of the people.
The Government and the Establishment might be on the same page but the trust and confidence of the people has badly been shaken due to a crisis of rule of law, corruption and price-hike.
