United we fall

  The PPP and PML-N coalition broke as anticipated. It is indeed a bad omen for the fragile economy and distorted nation. Why did it happen is well known. The core issue is the restoration of the deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chodhary. Zardari and both the national and international establishments do not want Justice Iftikhar apparently for his alleged soft motif in respect of terrorists. But in fact the real cause is Justice Iftikhar's high popularity among the people. This popularity can give him the unyielding power to clip the wings of any dictator, both military and civil; and our country's tattered history tells us no ruling elite can afford a powerful judiciary. Another reason is that in Pakistan every ruler, irrespective of affiliation, has done away with the judiciary. Both the establishments do never want an independent judiciary for they always think into future and do not want themselves out of the decision making corridors. We very often forget that when a civilian government is installed the real power is also transferred. This has never happened; and may never happen. The civilian governments have always been mere tools in the hands of these establishments. We do not think Zardari as such fool who does not want to see the people's general will endorsed. It is not Zardari but the hidden hands that took the simple issue into a dark there the coalition has lost its way and broke.
  Another reason of making this mess is the credit consciousness in both the coalition partners. It seems Mr.Zardari has been on the tight rope since the commencement of the PPP led government. He has been under severe pressure from both the establishments and PML-N. This is the reason Mr.Zardari, who has been famous for his strong nerves, has been going door to door under the garb of national reconciliation. Nawaz Sharif, politically more experienced that his partner, has been playing his cards with much dexterity. He made the popular slogan his party election stance and secured outstanding marks. He knows PML-N will be in advantage in both the possible cases, judges restoration and the otherwise. Zardari also knows well that PPP will get no plus points from the issue. If the judged get restored credit will definitely goes to PML-N, for PPP has never been clear on the judges issue. Credit from the judges issue was the sole reason that PPP unwillingly awarded ticket to the growing national leader and PPP's leader, Aitzaz Ahsan, and lo! his commitment that he put his cause to the stakes and decided to contest the by-election with PPP ticket in spite of being aware that in a confused parliament his stance would be mere crying in wilderness.
   It would be unfair to say that what Nawaz Sharif did regarding the judges issue is altogether political maneuvering. Being twice bitten by the establishments Nawaz Sharif has developed remarkable political maturity; it is that maturity which convinced him to part ways with PPP. He knew that united they both would fall...let PPP fall alone.
     by
 Zubair Torwali,