interested in enjoying those ‘perks and privileges’ that are associated with whatever little is on the table.
Meanwhile, the PTI, after selling every ideal and making every compromise possible under the sun in order to get access to the power corridors, wants to enjoy the ride now. After its (mis)adventure, it would rather avoid any ‘unnecessary risk’ and wait and see what turn the establishment’s machinations take and how it can fit into them. So, the agreement on a judicial commission, out of the blue, demonstrates that both parties are exhausted now and are up for a break from confrontation.
When the PML-N is in survival mode, the MQM in exit mode, the PTI in entry mode and the PPP in flight mode, the all-powerful establishment is in fight mode. It’s back in the driving seat. Apex committees, not much heard of before, are not that novel a concept. Does the old demand of a National Security Council ring any bells? A lot of them have now been established at all levels that matter. Even at levels not demanded before.
Leaving aside the power struggle among the power players, what’s going on at the governance level – the level that directly impacts the life of the man in the street? The PML-N takes governance as large multi-billion visible projects with allegedly big kickbacks. The PPP usually achieves that kickbacks flight without bothering much on big visible projects.
And what about the harbinger of change? The party of change has changed little except on its social media pages; by all accounts, in substantial terms, it is business as usual in KP. Anything substantial that is being done is to the credit of the establishment, which is carrying out a major operation by exposing the bad governance of politicians and by discrediting democracy in the garb of getting the political class ridiculed – on which, though, it has the complete cooperation of the political class.
On the larger political canvas, however, the space for the establishment is diminishing despite the recent comeback. Its peak time is long over but it’s the political class that’s been failing us by not rising to the occasion and grabbing the real power that is up for grabs since some time and placing it where it belongs ie with the people of Pakistan. Owing to the failure of the existing political class, a huge political vacuum is there for new political forces. The million-dollar question is: who will fill that vacuum and when?
The writer is a former diplomat and currently practices law.
Email: aiddi11gmail.com