Changed attitude

The PPP, while moving rapidly into election gear, has quite obviously turned its guns towards the PML-N, apparently ending a previous policy of a reconciliatory approach towards the ruling party. This was reflected in former president Asif Zardari’s speech to a rally in Mardan where he asked the prime minister not to rejoice at the SC verdict, suggested the current government had blocked CNICs for Pakhtuns and that CPEC was brainchild of the PPP and had been shifted away from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Zardari also suggested Imran Khan was not quite what he made out to be and could not offer leadership to Pakhtuns. But the main focus of attack was the ruling party. This is unsurprising one year before elections are due. The PML-N, which currently controls the government in Punjab and the centre, will clearly need to be dealt with if the PPP is to have any hope of restoring its image as a party whose influence extends beyond Sindh during the next election. The PPP was shut out of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the last election largely because it did not campaign there and this late attempt by Zardari to build credibility there is unlikely to help – especially since he had very little to offer beyond lashing out at the other parties.

Such pre-electoral campaigns are not unexpected. What we need to see is if the PPP chooses to move even closer to the PTI, once its sworn enemy, and adopt a common role in attempting to bring down the power of the PML-N. The games ahead of Election 2018 have begun. The main task for the PPP is first of all to rebuild its own image and determine where it wishes to position itself. It seems, for now, that it may be moving somewhat away from its traditional politics and at least in part aligning itself with all institutions which may oppose the sitting government. We hope the PPP will understand that democracy is a game that should be played within the parameters of certain rules. Creating a divide in the country is not a good idea. Defending smaller provinces is. The line can sometimes be difficult to determine. The PPP then needs to tread carefully and ensure it comes across as a party which stands for the entire nation and not just specific groups within it.          The rhetoric and tactics being used by the PPP and the PTI could end up destabilising the country. They need to be more careful in what they say and not let their crusade against Nawaz Sharif hurt our democracy.