PDM rally

EDITORIAL: Despite the hype leading up to the 11-party opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) rally in Lahore, its sixth power show, failed to be the 'decisive' event it was billed as. Hosted by the PML-N in Lahore, its stronghold from where the party won all but one National Assembly seats in the last election, the event proved to be a lot less than impressive despite the party's de facto chief Maryam Nawaz having spent a lot of time and energy to mobilize public support. Although she claimed a big success, it had not come up to her own expectations as she criticized media outlets reporting low turnout, saying the media is being asked to downplay the rally and he PDM leaders knew "who is asking them to term the rally a failure". To say the least, it is unfortunate that political leaders claiming to be fighting for democratic rights should target the media for objective reporting. True, the PML-N has its support base in Punjab, especially in its central region; but it is also true that its followers and voters are not the rally attending types. The other major party in PDM, the PPP, that used to have that kind of supporters has lost Punjab due to its policy of 'mufahamat' (conciliation). Under Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari, the party seemed to be gradually making a comeback in that province, but once again seems to be alienating people by playing second fiddle, to the Nawaz League.

In their speeches major parties leaders regurgitated what they have been saying at earlier events, railing against the embellishment and Prime Minister Imran Khan. A particularly note-worthy speech for its rudeness and impertinence was delivered by PkMAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who hurled an insult on Lahore, accusing it of having sided with the British colonials to occupy the Afghan homeland. Speaking earlier at the Karachi rally he had denigrated Urdu, the national language of Pakistan, saying it was a lingua franca whereas as our own language should be Sindhi (even though it is not spoken by majority of Pakistanis). By letting such an unhinged politician use its platform the PDM is damaging its own cause. Achakzai, in fact, has repeatedly been making outrageous remarks about Pakistan, questioning even the internationally recognized Durand Line that separates this country from Afghanistan. Yet he and his family has been enjoying power as an ally of the PML-N government in its last term. When it comes to self-interest he can go to any lengths to prove his loyalty to a potential future prime minister as he demonstrated when at the Lahore event, oblivious of what the French Revolution was all about, he said the conditions were ripe for France-like revolution to be led by Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz (last persons to be seen as revolutionaries) vowing to stand by them if they worked towards that end.

With its leaders' unrealistic assertions, such as that the government is about to fall and the doors to talks are shut the PDM seems to be leading itself down a blind alley. Addressing the rally Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced the plan to march on Islamabad "with resignation in our pockets toward the end of January or February." In-pocket resignations mean nothing; for, they cannot become effective unless presented to the national and provincial assembly speakers. Had all opposition legislators been willing to go on that route, the easiest and constitutional way to get rid of the Prime Minister would be to move a no-confidence motion against him. That obviously can't be done as the parties don't trust their members. Rallies and long marches do not bring governments down in this country unless backed by extraneous forces. The PDM would be wise to take a pause and look for some sort of a dignified end to its protracted squabble with the government.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020