WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT ? THE PTI AND PAT EXPLAINED (Dr Sohail Mahmood Associate Dean & Head, Department of International Relations at Preston University, Islamabad) IK and TUQ are two different political creatures altogether. The PTI is a constitutionalist political party with a record of achievement to its credit. It is the second most populous political party in Pakistan today and is the real rival of PMLN. It believes in the political system of Pakistan and ants to bring about change which it deems as vital and very necessary. One cannot disagree with the noble aim of electoral system reform. Indeed the country’s electoral system has serious structural problems and its working is lagging in several ways. The question is how to go about bringing the desired change? If u are a stakeholder, like the PTI, then the only manner is the legal and proper democratic method. Public protests on the one hand, and knocking sense in the minds of the parliamentarians, on the other hand. Also, remember debates in parliament are meant for the nation and not only the parliamentarians themselves. If the PTI would resign their seats in the NA and two provincial assembles then they will lose the opportunity to sell their program to the wider nation. The people matter and the political parties have to reach out to the wider general public and through argumentation make a case. The people will eventually respond. It is just a matter of time. If you lose the platform then from where will you make the case for your agenda like electoral reforms? TUQ is a charismatic religious leader who has disciples who listen to him and obey his commands. We cannot say that for IK and the PTI. Hence, the great concern for a peaceful march this evening. TUQ will just conduct his Peoples Parliament business and should be allowed. TUQ pretends to be a revolutionary leader who will guide the nation to a completely new political, social, and economic order. I, for one, agree with nearly all his demands but the method is completely wrong. He wants to become the Supreme Guide, ala Ayatollah Khomeini and pretends that he will single-handedly bring about a second Islamic republic in Pakistan through mass protests and agitations. That will not happen. Obviously, all main political parties disagree on his methodology. However, he is welcome to try his luck. It is too late to use force against him and destroy his march. No one wants that. So he should be allowed to continue. Eventually, his protest will fizzle out. Patience and prudence is required by NS to handle both situations. Remember, the use of force now will aggravate the matter. So, NS must resolve the matter amicably. Why doesn’t he send a strong delegation of political big names and stalwarts from civil society to negotiate with PTI now? We are running out of time. In a nutshell, do not use force this evening. Message to boith the Nawaz Govt and PTI leadership. The PTI crowd can be calmed down if permission is given to enter the s0-called Red Zone and march on Constitutional Avenue. No big deal. Our biggest concern is that the azaadi march remains peaceful this evening. Tragic, if otherwise. A very real test of leadership quality of both IK and NS now. No one wants casualties this evening. Better sense can prevail in both camps.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 10:57:11 +0000
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