The PPP ship

This refers to the news report, ‘Sindh PA passes bill empowering prosecutor to withdraw any case’ (January 16). The passage of the bill shows the level of insecurity and vulnerability prevailing in the PPP camp ever since Dr Asim Hussain was arrested on corruption charges. This is an attempt to counteract any undesirable steps by the security/accountability apparatus against the PPP leadership, despite knowing well the negative consequences of taking such a step.

As far as the federal government is concerned, it has made its intention clear by giving unconditional powers to the Rangers in Karachi despite the reservations of the Sindh government. The federal government does not seem to be serious enough to ease tension with the government of Qaim Ali Shah. After exploring every forum to convey their reservations regarding the Rangers action, the PPP came to the conclusion that they would get nothing except Chaudhry Nisar’s visit to the provincial metropolis. Under these circumstances, the PPP tried to act on its own and got the solution through a legislative piece in the form of a bill. As the PPP is on its last legs of popularity – the rest of the country has rejected Zardari’s PPP – the party is advised to avoid taking steps that undoubtedly would rock the PPP ship in Sindh as well.

Sarang Kolachi

Hyderabad