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.
It is shame to see both major parties are heading to same old confrontation of eighties and ninetees. The people were relieved when leaders of both parties signed CoD and an era of friendship between the leaders and their followers ensued. Ms BB and Mr Nawaz Sharif invested lot of efforts to bring both rivals on the board but unfortunately this amicable relationship is leading to the same old enmity which hounded politics of Pakistan.
Present PPP leadership has gone too far to please a liguist ethnic party which has no qualms to unleash its thugs on its opponents. Last night I was watching Dr Shahid Masood’s Mere Mutabiq in which Miss BB was shown talking to a foreign correspondent and her statement should be an eye opener to her spouse. She clearly said that MQM was a terrorist outfit and has instilled fear into the people and media.
A retired but rogue and discreditted Brig Billa has suddenly appeared and has started talking nothing but lies by trying to give a clean slate to the MQM.
MQM, by hook or crook, has always remained in power. They have no qualms to side with the dictators.
Brig Billa or someone else’s statments in favour of MQM will not be able to vindicate Altaf Hussain
I sincerely hope that judiciary will play its constitutional role to order an investigation and tell the whole nation where MQM stands. The judiciary has already taken an action to investigate 12th May carnage.
Mr Zardari is making a grave mistake of his life to rely upon MQM to confront PML-N. The day is not far when Altaf will stab in PPP’s back and it would be too late by then I am afrad.
Both parties should keep it under controle but it is the right of the people of pakistan to know how dirty games these politician as well as the agencies of this countrly is playing with this poor nation. The media should contiue to keep teh debate alive and the court shall decide once for all and punish whoever is guilty,otherwise, no body can stop this country from disintegartion sooner or later and apparently it seems to be sooner.
I am not a PML(N) supporter but I can say with my experience that this whole drama is staged by PPP to divert the nation’s attention from the main issues, PML(N) view point.
PPP did the same thing when restoration of judiciary issue was on lime light….PPP will keep on playing with the future of Pakistan and there wont be any trial of former chief musharraf…there is a lack of will.
May Allah save our country from these corrupt and worthless leaders.
Democracy in Pakistan will only flourish when the likes of Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif are flushed out of the system. Maybe this impending confrontation will do that?
These parties are behaving like the sugar mills owners. They are just after thier personal benefits and do not care a bit for the country’s interesets. Pretty hopeless people in the present dark situation!