Partly Facetious: Coalition politics: the Pakistan experience

"The basic premise is hate that guides all actions."
"That is unfortunate."
"I agree, just like absolute power corrupts absolutely with an inbuilt trigger to self destruction absolute hatred too has an inbuilt trigger to self destruction but the one engaged in hatred seldom realises it."
"And that is what our politicians are good at. But I thought reconciliation was the name of Pakistan's political game: wherever you look - centre or province - there are coalitions that may at the worst of times appear very shaky but have been holding for more than two years now."
"True but coalition politics has come with a heavy price and need I add that even though the ruling PPP may claim that it has paid the highest price yet indirectly the people too have paid a cost."
"I assume you are referring to the large cabinet and silence on some PPRA violations..."
"Violations are across the board."
"OK but tell me who hates who in our politics? It has to be on principles and..."
"Not in this country; however there are many examples. President Zardari hates Nawaz Sharif who fully reciprocates the sentiments. Then Salmaan Taseer hates all animate and inanimate things Sharif while the Sharifs reciprocate that sentiment too. The Sharifs hate MQM leadership and that sentiment is also reciprocated. Then Imran Khan hates the Sharifs and the Zardis and both return the favour."
"That leaves the maulana group."
"The maulanas hate the US much more than local politicians and need I add that sentiment is reciprocated as well with a pinch of mistrust added on for good measure."
"Yes and let's not forget the US hates Iran and the favour is returned."
"Correct but the way forward as we all know is through talks."
"Right but in a hate relationship one side invariably resists rapprochement."
"I believe it is always the stronger side that resists it. Take the case of Israel, and India and Nawaz Sharif."
"Nawaz Sharif has resisted talks with PML (Q) and MQM I believe but not with PPP, there the role of friendly opposition is continuing."
"Ah but my theory stands: he is stronger than PML (Q) and MQM but not stronger than the PPP, not yet anyway."