A no-trust move is all about vote count inside an assembly, and it should be dealt on assembly benches, instead of on the roads. The ongoing motion against the prime minister, however, has unnecessary raised political temperatures and both sides are blamed for coming up with unbecoming content. The verbal clash is now turning into a physical brawl as both sides – the Pakistan Democratic Alliance leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) – have decided to stage public rallies in Islamabad ahead of the no-trust proceedings. The PTI has announced its million-people show at D-Chow on March 27, whereas the Maulana, who has the backing of other opposition parties as well, has announced marching on the capital on March 23. The politics of confrontation has reached its peak, and any eventuality, unconstitutional or otherwise, may bring out undesired results. The PTI has made it clear that their power show is mainly for its detractors, the opposition and the one who are planning to switch sides. Outspoken Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has ‘warned’ his party lawmakers that they would have to face the ‘one million-strong’ rally to reach the parliament for voting. This suggests without mincing any word that the party is ready to take head-on those members who will defect during the no-trust motion. If this happens, this may change the politics of the country forever. The Pakistan Muslim League-N was quick to condemn the veiled threat.
After the PTI rally call, the PDM’s tit-for-tat rally on March 23, which may later turn into a prolonged sit-in in the capital does not bode well for democracy. Maulana Fazl who announced the decision threatened the ruling PTI of “paying back you in the same coin”, saying that their march would begin simultaneously from all parts of the country. He also said the participants should join the march with preparation to stay in the capital until the no-trust saga is over. The PDM should be reminded that March 23 is the day of the traditional military parade where 24 foreign ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation would be guests. Sane quarters in the PDM and the ruling PTI should prevail and advise their leadership to delay their power shows. The governmental parties should first come up with an announcement to defer their public show until the no-trust motion is over. A public rally after the no-trust verdict will give them the reason to either mourn or celebrate the day.
