ISLAMABAD: Political stability is considered imperative for Pakistan to wade through the current serious challenges but the break-up of the three-year cooperation between the countries’ two major political parties runs counter to this paramount need of hour.
The Pakistan People's Party and Pakistan Muslim League-N have suddenly drifted apart as a consequence of the latter's decision to unilaterally part ways. In May, 2006, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, then chairperson of the PPP and PML (N) Chief Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif signed on the historic Charter of Democracy (CoD) in London, while both were in exile because of dictatorship in their homeland.
The charter covered all aspects, necessary for the democracy to flower in their country. Back at home, people irrespective of their political affiliations and ideas felt inspired as the extraordinary development showed the way for Pakistan to establish a civilian democratic rule.
Beyond doubt, given a history of long political wrestle between the two big parties, it was a healthy move.
At that time, it was also realized by both of them that the system would only run smoothly if they acted on charter with due sincerity and honesty. It was also the only way that could let the CoD to be hailed by the nation. The charter was so comprehensive and relevant that there was no single point in it which could be said that it had no mean.
The points such as authorities of judiciary, powers of premier, revival of roles of business of federation and provinces, press freedom, good ties with neighbouring countries, scraping of corruption, giving words of not contrasting the elected government, announcements of properties of military and civilian officers and members of election commission and parliament etc. are essential for good governance and were indirectly or directly part of the agreement.
One of the main commitments in the charter on behalf of the two parties was never to revive the politics of hostility and cut-throat rivalry between political forces that had led to military interventions four times in the country's history.
But the recent expelling of PPP ministers from the Punjab Government has put a serious dent upon the efforts for the promotion of politics of reconciliation in the country. Announcing to oust PPP ministers from the Punjab cabinet, the PML head Mian Nawaz Sharif told the media at a news conference on Friday in Islamabad that it was being done after inconclusive talks with the government on the implementation of the PML-N 10-point agenda.
The decision took many observers by surprise as despite apparent progress on the implementation of the one party agenda, PML-N snapped the dialogue process, considered necessary for a democratic system, revived after an undemocratic authoritarian rule.
"It is a sad day," said Muhammad Aslam, a journalist after the commitment for politics of reconciliation was apparently forgotten. Several PPP ministers and leaders said that their party did not drag its feet because the 10-point agenda was their own agenda as it was part of their manifesto.
"I was disappointed when it was said that no progress was made on the 10-point agenda," said Minister of Inter-Provincial Co -Ordination, Senator Raza Rabbani, who is known for his high level of credibility, not only in the public but also among all the political parties.
He said that the PPP-led government took up all the points of the PML-N agenda with utmost sincerity and seriousness and added that 100 per cent progress was made on most of these points. "Pakistan People's Party always believed in the policy and politics of reconciliation and took all the major decisions jointly by taking all its coalition partners on board", he remarked.
Many in the country are still hopeful that political wisdom would prevail and policy of reconciliation as espoused by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto would be given a chance to continue and consolidate the system, taking the country to the next general elections without any mishap.
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