The New Nation - Internet Edition

Dr. M. S. Haq

PM Nawaz Sharif's party, Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML - N), has pulled recently its members from the country's federal cabinet over a deadlock as to when and how to restore the deposed judges. The latest deadline for restoration of judges was 12 May 2008.

In the midst of above development, PML - N has, however, made it clear to people (used in a wider sense) that it will, among other things, continue to provide support to the ruling PPP (Pakistan Peoples' Party) at the center and maintain its government in the province-that is, Punjab. Interesting though, the government of Pakistan is yet (as of 13 May 2008) to accept the resignation tendered by federal ministers of PML - N.

Sharif's party quits Pakistan cabinet at the time when the coalition government is 06 week old. The development strengthens further - doubts - about the continuation of at least a workable coalition government (including inter alia PML - N) at the center through the life time of present government, unless such development is resisted by reasons over emotions in pertinent areas in a responsible, contextually relevant, pragmatic, meaningful, and sustainable manner, and by moves towards transforming, in real terms, the immediate, as well direct well-being of majority of Pakistanis into key competing priorities of PML - N and concerned others, at this point in time and among other things.

Pakistan is currently in the process of preparing annual budget for the next fiscal. Given that budgeting this time will be critical to the immediate future of Pakistan in terms of for example, the people's urgent needs, as well as expectations, re-stabilization of the country's economy, better governance, war on terror and commitment of political parties to the people-the withdrawal of PML - N ministers from the cabinet at this juncture of the country's history - I mean, when their intense involvement in relevant areas is needed in the country's greater interest, does not appear to be a pro-people decision in an overall sense. To involve actively in the budget preparation, as well as to provide support to it in the parliament or to provide support only to budget discussions in the parliament are, in many respects, two different ball games. It will be, in that context, interesting to observe: how would ordinary people of Pakistan and others take the stance of PML - N. Is PML - N not a friend of people in these days of need? It is expected Senator Zardari and others will be able to convince Nawaz Sharif and company to reconsider the latter's decision in relevant areas.

Judges should be restored in a lawful, satisfactory, acceptable to all (as far as humanly possible), result-generative, sustainable and example-setting fashion. I believe PML - N is matured enough and well placed to respect, appreciate and practice the law of land under the authority of parliament when it comes to for example: dealing with cases of judges and judiciary; and accepting the time lag associated with the constitutional, as well as legal processes connected with and ancillary to those cases. The party should now stop using the judges' issue as a part of its effort towards gaining a further political mileage, per se. Given the moving reality, it could be that PPP and others will be in a better position than PML - N in the event of say, an eventual restoration of judges-PML - N could then regret for its present day stance and apparent impatience. After all, the time and the people are, in a worldly sense, ultimate judges when it comes to above matters.

On one hand, PML - N is talking about a continuing flow of cooperation from its side for the sake of Pakistan; it has, on the other, given recently an indication that it will be a part of for example, lawyers processions and other programs - demanding restoration of deposed judges - knowing perhaps fully well such things with the support of parties like, PML - N could be instrumental in inter alia destabilizing Pakistan and enhancing terror threats, as well as vulnerabilities in the country and the world at large. In light of above, it now appears PML - N would be required to prove otherwise that the party is not hypocritical.

Utterances made and behaviors demonstrated by certain leaders of PML - N in recent times via the media are apparently objectionable and they lack basic elements of civility. Those and other related factors, tend to indicate, among other things: there are greater chances for say, party supporters, weak minded adults, younger generations and others to pick up (used in psychological and genomics senses) those elements of personality - if factors of above nature are allowed to continue at least in an unrestricted manner. A windfall from above and related developments could be instrumental in inter alia affecting the political culture of the country on a continuing basis - while isolating Pakistan more and more from the mainstream political culture. By the way, is PML - N ready to take the responsibility of resultant intra and inter-generation transfers in areas of say, a less competitive political culture?

The last word: abusive political rhetoric could - beyond a tolerable limit (after all, we are human beings) - bring about some psychological relief to certain people at certain time but it could also help increase, in varying amounts though, reputational costs (used in a negative) of a country or a nation at any time, per se.

Politicians have the responsibility to protect for example, the country from those things, as appropriate. Let us work collectively and with determination in pursuits of cultivating more pro-people, more relevant, more competitive, more constructive, more acceptable, and more satisfying political culture in concerned countries.