In the context of an exceptionally tense confrontation mainly between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) over the Punjab throne, the latest ruling of the Supreme Court has triggered another war. A disagreement on part of the PML-N of the SC judgement that had declared the election of Hamza Shehbaz null and void might bring severe consequences in the near future. Now, the PML-N has decided to file a review petition against the court’s decision not to constitute a full bench. The SC’s decision has earned the PML-N and its coalition partners a grudge that can lead to more political instability in the coming days. Being the Prime Minister, Mian Shehbaz Sharif can use his powers to create hurdles for the government of Punjab by depriving it of with due share of autonomy in the allocation of funds or transfers and postings. The coalition government comprising the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance can go to any extent to fail the government of Pervez Elahi.
On the other hand, the SC ruling has provided much-needed relief to the PTI leadership. The PTI now has become more confident that it can win the next general elections which is why PTI Chairman Imran Khan is demanding the holding of general elections on an immediate basis. Surely, the PTI can give a tough time to the coalition government as the former is heading two main provinces of the country. Now, it has become easier for the PTI to bring the masses on the roads against the incumbent government in the Centre for acceptance of its demands.
More drama is awaiting as a tussle over power sharing among the Centre and provincial governments will ultimately make an impact on the people’s lives in general and the national economy in particular. The present circumstances have put the PTI and PDM on a collision course leading to more anarchy in the country and the masses will be the ultimate sufferers of this war among mainstream political parties.
In this political scenario, the PML-N is on the receiving end due to its utterly poor performance during the last three months which has cost it rejection by the masses in recently concluded by-elections. In fact, the PML-N has failed to provide any relief to the masses, who are being burdened by the growing inflation. In order to ease the life of a common man, both the mainstream parties need to work in their given domains till the conclusion of their terms. They need to focus on the welfare of the masses. It is also an opportunity for the PML-N and PTI to resolve issues in Parliament instead of getting engaged in political wrangling. They need to jointly work on formulating such policies that are aimed at providing some relief to the general public and bringing the country out of the present economic crunch. Any further collision either in Parliament or on the streets will bring no good result and it needs to come to an end now.
