Spectacle of no-confidence motion

The nation is gripped by a political polarization intensified by the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan. The political agitation launched by the PDM in 2019 against the PTI Government has reached its crescendo turning into a ‘do or die’ phenomenon. This spectacle will continue straining the nerves of the political leadership across the divide until the final count of votes on the motion.

The old political hostilities are giving way to a new bonhomie. Old political foes are becoming allies. New alliances are being weighed on the touchstone of maximum political advantages to be squeezed from the contenders in this political contest. The horse trading is galore. The tiny parliamentary groups have suddenly acquired importance and are considered to be in a position to tilt the balance of vote count in either way. This has tremendously enhanced their political price with demands of coveted positions of Chief Minister, Governor and Ministries in the federal and provincial administrations, Mayoral offices and state jobs in thousands.

The no-confidence motion is an essential part of democracy. The opposition has the constitutional right to move such a motion justified by solid reasons or the government in power loses the support of a coalition partner. In democratic countries, the coalition partners pronounce their differences before parting ways with the main party in power. There is no horse trading. There is no spectacle of buying loyalties of the parliamentarians of the ruling party or offering irrational political positions to small parliamentary groups. In this process, the national interest and the health of the political system invariably becomes the guiding principle.

Unfortunately, in Pakistan each contender claims to have already bought the loyalties of two dozen parliamentarians of the opposite side. The coalition partners sprang into hard bargaining action after the no-confidence was moved. The PML (Q) has demanded the position of the Chief Minister of Punjab, notwithstanding the fact that its rule will be dependent on the goodwill of the PML (N) or PTI with the new Chief Minister working as courtier to the leader of either party. What it already has in the present administration are the posts Speaker of Punjab Assembly as well as Ministries in the provincial and federal administrations.

The MQM-P, with fewer parliamentary votes, has many demands ranging from 40% quota in federal and provincial jobs; Governorship of Sindh; Karachi’s Mayoral office; control of seven districts of the city; Ministries in the provincial administration; appointment of thousands of locals in police; and cancellation of the Karachi domiciles of Sindhis from other cities. The ruling PPP has reportedly acceded to its demands. Some of the powers of the Governor have already been transferred to the Chief Minister. The provincial government has already announced a new local body system for the province. The PPP leadership is in no mood to change the legislation for their sake.

When asked, “Have we given them in the past coalitions what do they seek now?” a senior PPP leader smilingly answered, “The former Mayor of Karachi throughout his tenure cried hoarse over the lack of powers and financial resources to discharge his responsibility towards the mega city. The most lucrative departments dealing with the precious lands of Karachi and construction regulation – Karachi Development Authority and the Sindh Building Controlling Authority – are under the provincial administration. Will their Mayor and Provincial Ministers have powers in this unnatural partnership to bring any rescue to their constituencies? This should be a moment of introspection for them.”

Since Balochistan National Movement leaders have already parted ways with the ruling PTI, they are free to take any side without incurring any adverse reaction from their electorate. However, what is crystal clear is that Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal needs to remember that his main lament on the enforced disappearances could not be addressed by the PTI ruling party. His grievance on this account will also remain unaddressed in the new federal administration if it comes into power with his parliamentary votes. All these leaders with whom he has been rubbing shoulders with, will not dare do anything in this grave matter of utmost importance to Balochistan.

The PDM leaders are grossly mistaken if they believe that by removing Imran Khan from power they will bring an end to his political career. They are turning him into a political martyr, rather a giant. His popularity graph has already surged, touching new heights among the poor masses and the youth as witnessed from his charged public meetings. His political belligerency has struck resonance with the poor and powerless people who are fed up with the corrupt autocracy and protagonists of the status quo.

If successful in the no-confidence motion, by the time the new general elections are held after the completion of the tenure of the Assemblies, the masses will have forgotten the political aberrations of Mr. Khan and start weighing the worth of the new rulers in addressing inflation, falling currency value, debt reduction, poverty alleviation and reorientation of foreign and security policy.

The belligerent Khan will shred their credibility to smithereens. Contrary to all predictions for his political eclipse, he will emerge with a clear majority in any fair and transparent election to rule the country.

The writer was a member of the Foreign Service of Pakistan