Politics is strange. Its dynamics can change in no time. Allies can become foes, and bitter rivals can become allies.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) threw the latest political dice, calling for a code of conduct for all political parties a week after the Multi-Party Conference (MPC) was shelved-twice in a week.
The PPP wants all political parties to sit together and work on a code of conduct to enable all parties to stay within the limits and not “cross the line” in their confrontations with one another.
The PPP also wants a consensus to bring the country out of the crisis.
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), meanwhile, has refused to attend the multi-party conference. Once on Feb 7 and again on Feb 9. Even then, the PPP has expressed its readiness to invite all parties.
The opposition party slammed PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s proposal for a multi-party conference, claiming that cases had been filed against its leaders.
The party, however, was ready to lend its support to all political parties and the establishment so they could sit down and hear each other’s views.
The government, on the other hand, has not divulged details behind the cancellation of the conference. Even the allies, including the PPP, were unaware of the reasons behind the postponement.
There were conflicting reports about the reason for the delay.
Some say it was due to Imran Khan’s refusal to attend the conference, while others believed that differences persisted between the ruling allies over a possible military operation against terrorists.
The PPP supports military operations.
The PPP has even formed a body that will get in touch with other parties to frame a code of conduct under which “our behaviour inside and outside parliament” can be regulated.
Mr Bhutto-Zardari stressed the need to work jointly on the issue, warning that the country would otherwise pay the price.
The PTI has not ruled out its participation in the process but has also shown its concern over cases against the party leaders, the latest being against the former finance minister, Shaukat Tarin.
There is a need to think seriously now. To get this country out of its current crisis, it is necessary to rise above politics.
The multiparty conference should be taken seriously. The country’s leadership should come up with a concrete way forward.
The clock is ticking.
