The Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PMLN) has given the Pakistan People’s Party 48 hours to stop what it describes as a a ‘smear campaign’ against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
With this ultimatum, the tensions between the government and opposition party have come to a head. In recent weeks, the PPP and PMLN have disagreed on the issue of whether Pervez Musharraf should be tried for his actions on November 3, 2007. ‘Revelations’ by intelligence officials about a two-decade-old episode in which the ISI reportedly funded an opposition campaign against Benazir Bhutto have also fueled the fire.
Are Pakistan’s two major political parties – the PPP and PMLN – on a collision course? Can the government take steps to avert a showdown with the opposition that would plunge this nation into further political instability? Or is an all-out confrontation between these two major parties one of the best ways to purge Pakistan’s political past of its demons so that democracy can enjoy a new start in this country?
The views expressed in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Both leaders are not good for the pakistan and the people of pakistan.
As I write these lines the latest on this is that PML N has withdrawn its 48 hour ultimatum. We are back at square one. Confrontation postponed. All are sailing in the same boat including MQM and PML Q. So why crib…we voted them to power, and history books were AVAILABLE.
I feel the government officials should be thrown out from politics. They have become a pain with their nefarious deeds and flimsy comments.
Its time dashing cricket star Imran Khan is given a chance and allowed to lead the nation. He is smart, intelligent and brave. Only problem is that he puts his foot into his mouth sometimes. He should avoid that and maintain his composure.
How can the ISI pay off right wing parties. It’s time ISI’s wings are clipped and it made to function responsibly as per law. It has grown too big for its boots . No wonder Pakistan has acquired a bad name and its reputation has nosedived across the globe.
No one cares about these politicians and their politics or about the army.
If states are built to make news then i congratulate Dawn news.
The people suffer while the rulers make a great play and bounce from tv show to tv show with stories about their antics.
Once they have had enough they will probably leave for dubai,uk or wherever they come from.
End of hypocrisy: The ultimatum is clear evidence of corruption. Oh, what a leadership on the poles.
Missing Political Concept:
The Political System in Pakistan and as well as in Afghanistan, Iraq is designed by the West.
The any possible Democracy Solution for this Region needs a Long term Development and Planning. For the Western it is difficult to handle a Democracy as Compare to a Shine Democracy where the some figures are responsible and acting like a profit Center Managers.
A course correction of Western policy for this Region would necessary.
It is highly unfortunate that we cannot look for someone honest and educated who can run Pakistan
I am of the veiw, that PML N, by demanding the trial of Mushraf, is trying a creat a rift between the present Govt and the Army.
Nawaz shariff is the only leader present in Pakistan with some credibility and stature, Zardari looks to be in a wrong place. He has just replaced Musharaf with no fundamental change.
If judiciary is impartial and independent then they should trial all those involved in money game played by agencies. They should punish all involved.
Yes, lets start a trial/court martial on Musharraf. Then after we’re done with that, lets try all the members of the ruling parties. After we’re done with them, lets try all the politicians in the opposition. Then, lets try the members of our “independent judiciary”.
This will go on and on and on. What this country needs is a revolution. The people should rise up against the system. Because, it is the system that is flawed. The system permits even a normal level-headed guy (we have a serious shortage of those, by the way) to be corrupted by power and greed.
The Pakistani who begs at traffic signals and barely gets a meal a day doesn’t give a damn about independent judiciaries or political manifestos. What they want is a roof over their heads and three square meals a day. Their only mistake was, it seems, that they were born in this country.
The Quaid must be turning in his grave right now.
Qadam barhao Nawaz Sharif “Not only against Musharraf but also against Hamid Gul and Zia”
Billions of Rupees will change hands to put off this controverys for sure.
After watched all the disclosure of retired military office on media, one gauged that how the opposition are anti Peoples Party , a party which always protected them and never let down their prestige .
Our political leaders should learn lesson from the past that repeating same mistake further plunged country into chaos and people forget about democracy and Pakistan which is already a security state , democracy never flourish but further pay a way for Jehadi culture .
Mr Nawaz Sharif has not learnt his lesson yet.He seem to be isolated inside a plush surroundings,who have a real disconnect with the country except may be urban punjab.
Please lay out your future planning with regard to energy,agriculture,governence,etc and lets see what you have to offer.
Now a stage has reached where the public is again switiching back to watch tv dramas than so called talk shows which are free for all serving no one except the ANCHORE.
who seem to play a leader, guide, politician,mediator etc etc rather than to simply be a host and a facilitator for communications of the views.
To avoid bringing the dictator to the court and take him to task both the parties PPP and PML N have created a drama. All the actors from both the parties are performing their assigned roles.
I am unable to understand. Whatever be the difficulties that Pakistan faces, its politicians are touching new lows in approaching a country like Saudi Arabia to play mediator.The country is an archaic, corrupt monarchy. How can they (or anybody else) be giving advise on democratic issues? Demcoracies solve their problems themselves and don’t seek advice from outsiders, least of all countries like Saudi.
And is it true that Pakistan is selling farmland to Saudi? Even the dictatorships of Africa ( barring Sudan) are not willing to sell their farmlands. Pakistan will destroy its topsoil, deplete its groundwaters and eat into a legacy that it should hold in trust for its future generations. Sad.
COD? My foot! That was a ploy to fool the public once again by these old hat politicians. Old rivalaries have surfaced and old scores are going to be settled. Country is falling apart but these politicians have blinkers on their eyes. They have only one agenda; to grab power and hold on to power by any means.
Country needs a change at the grass roots. All political parties should give up hereditary leaderships and should organise on a proper democratic footing. Can you guess who is going to be the next president of Pakistan? Pakistani’s are fools relying on dynasties rather than merits.
While the neibouring country is reacing the moon, Pakistan is heading towards catastrophy. Who is going to save Pakistan?
This ultimatum will turn out to be a ‘fizzle’, just like the Indian nuclear tests!
send all the crooked politicians to the cleaners.guys who can be bought or sold will go to the highest bidders.they are compromised;enemies of the country can put a price on them;why nuture them?anybody who is putting them forward should also be looked at.
Nawaz Sharif has a lot to answer for: starting with the judiciary and attacking the supreme court, Kargil, freezing of foreign currency accounts, cheap populist schemes like yellow cab, the proposed ‘ameer ul momeneen’ act among others.
We all know how politics work in our part of the world.Those who say Musharraf should be court martial,they have either forgotten Zia ul haq. Zia ul haq was worst military dictator in the history of sub-continent. Poeple should look at the accomplishments
made during Musharraf and damage done to our political and social system during Zia ulhaq. I personally think both the parties should be banned from election atleast 100 years.Because no one has anything to improve the basic conditions of the Pakistan. We have just celebrated 60 years of independence from british. And look where India is today. Shame on our leaders.
if e want to make Pakistan strong , the only solution is to make more province and give more automony, of course this demand wont be like by CSS officers and polititian who are the ones getting benefits of culprit society.
I concur for a FGCM or Court Martial for Musharaf being an ex Officer.He should be tried under Pakistan Army Act,1952,and it is upto the politicians to repeal amendments made to same law by Musharraf on November 10,2007.Saudi’s have no right to interfere in Pakistani Politics.Ironically it is mostly dictated by US thru its Intelligence agencies.
Interestingly the Court Martial is to be initiated on behest of President of Pakistan,ironically elected by People of Pakistan.
This tiresome game has started all over again, as I knew it would. I have been through it before, not once, not twice, but fully three times before! Not even the faces have changed. Musharraf was doing well on many fronts (except the Militancy one), if only he had strengthened the Judiciary, instead he did the exact opposite. The people of Pakistan, the Media, have been naive bordering on foolishness to expect anything else. There is a dictum in horse racing circles, never bet a second time on a horse that has lost you money once. We have been foolish enough to bet 3 times. Nawaz is waiting in the wings to take over when Zardari and company leave, and the Tamasha will start again. In a region that is on the verge of economic take off due to economic miracles of India on one side, and China on the other, the spoiler seems to be Pakistan/Afghanistan, or Afpak. The world powers know what turmoil will be caused in this region if Pakistan’s house of cards were to collapse. Imagine the economic turmoil that will ensue in this region, doing unimaginable damage to the fragile economic recovery that is taking place in the “World that matters”. This is the context in which to contemplate Afpak. My advice to any one that can pull some weight is: improve Governance in Pakistan, because Governance is abysmal and decrepit; and strengthen the judiciary, to uphold the Rule of Law. Without this, Pakistan is DOOMED, and will take the whole region with it. The Pakistani coffers are empty, and it is because of the American help (yes, America that is the butt of all the hatred of Pakistanis)that the IMF is doling out some money, at very high interest rates, to keep the economy afloat. Also Everybody must watch on Youtube the Pakistani lady Parliamentarian that stole another ladies credit card in a Gym, and immediately went on a shopping spree, but was caught red handed.