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The Pakistan Day meeting between PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has led to amiable photo-ops and assurances of mutual respect. But any talk of reconciliation remains tentative, as Sharif has slapped down several conditions. He has demanded the implementation of the Charter of Democracy, details of which can be found here. Although the PPP has expressed its commitment to the charter, the party has stopped short of stating that all its provisions will be implemented in letter and spirit. Other stumbling blocks – the government in Punjab and the electoral eligibility of the Sharifs – also continue to stand in the way of a PPP-PML-N reconciliation.
Do you think the PPP and PML-N can sort through these sticking points and work together? Is Sharif correct in making his interactions with the PPP dependent on the implementation of the Charter of Democracy? What happens if the Supreme Court fails to overturn the Sharifs’ disqualification ruling?
If the supreme court follows the law then both Sharif brothers will be disqualified. The only thing Nawaz is interested in is the power just like Zardari. The 2 will work together as long as it is good for them (and not for the country). There is a reason that Pakistan is considered a failed state now. There is a reason why Pakistan used to be compared to India and now is compared to Afghanistan. These politicians will always work with each other and for themseleves and never for Pakistan. Pakistani people deserve everything that is happening to them. After all they are the only people in the world who actually voted (during a free and fair electinon) for the most corrupt. Musharaf put this country on the right path and these people will take it back to where it was before Musharaf – a failed bankrupt state.
Free and fair elections (for the first time in Pakistan), Great economic development (even accepted by the ruling PPP), controlling terrorism, putting Pakistan on the forefront of development – these are the things Musharaf gave during his 8 years. People of Pakistan however wanted the corrupt in the name of “SHAM DEMOCRACY”. WHAT A SHAME. Now deal with it and watch your country go down the drain. At least now you can jump up with joy that Musharaf is no longer there and you have DEMOCRACY…People in other countries watch and laugh at Pakistanis.
The air of accommodation and affability at Raiwind augurs well for future of democracy. Chaudhris of Gujrat wanted to cash in on the differences of two mainstream parties and cause yet another blow to any hope of stability. Both the parties proved they are wary of their ulterior designs. Another commendable development in psychological make up of PML-N which has thus far escaped attention of analysts is his perceptible urge to dissociate himself from Islamists and recent utterings of JI chief testify to it.
By sticking to implementation of COD Nawaz Sharif is not being stubborn; he is only demanding what has already been agreed by the two parties. Neither has he pinned hopes on SCP to hand in verdict of his liking. Likewise, PM Gilani has also not voiced aversion to implementation of COD. As opposed to what religious parties would want people to believe, both mainstream parties are wary of any idea of intervention in polity by infamous “third force” and Nawaz Sharif has been particularly assertive in denying any involvement of undemocratic forces in governance. Given these developments and host of others, it’s not appropriate on the part of media to cast doubt on any political move that offers even semblance of hope.
If the supreme court actually follows the law then both Sharif brothers will still be disqualified. The only thing Nawaz is interested in is the power just like Zardari. The 2 will work together as long as it is good for them (and not for the country). There is a reason that Pakistan is considered a failed state now. There is a reason why Pakistan used to be compared to India and now is compared to Afghanistan. These politicians will always work with each other and for themselves and never for Pakistan. Pakistani people deserve everything that is happening to them. After all they are the only people in the world who actually voted (during a free and fair election) for the most corrupt. Musharraf put this country on the right path and these people will take it back to where it was before Musharraf – a failed bankrupt state.
Arch rivals with ethnic under undercurrents,conflicting ideologies and history of political violence can hardly be expected to have a real change of heart. Let one of them out of a share in power, all the nice words will evaporate in thin air.
Hope against hope that it will work. The key player is Zardari and no one in the PPP is willing or able to stand up to him. Gilani can say all the ight words and he has been doing it for over 12 month. It is Zardari’s actions which speak louder.
If Zardari is sincere, it will work. Is Zardari sincere????
In principle, I believe Nawaz Sharif is absolutely correct in making his interactions dependent on the implementation of the Charter of Democracy.