The unnatural coalition government in Punjab may be hit by yet another blow after the re-emergence of blame game between Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-N is gaining momentum day by day. The two partial allies but traditional rival political parties seem to be back to vendetta politics, which they used to practice against each other in 90s.
The new wave of harsh politics resurfaced between the two major political stakeholders after the allegations, accusing PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif of conspiring to topple Benazir's first government in early 90s and launching military operation against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Karachi in 1992.
The allegation and counter-allegation started after revelations of some secrets about the PML-N as disclosed by certain former officials of some intelligence agencies, prominently Brigadier Imtiaz (Retd) that Nawaz Sharif was part of the game to topple Benazir's maiden government from the platform of Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) at the behest of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). At the same time, Nawaz Sharif's government was also blamed for launching offensive against MQM in Karachi in 1992.
The PML-N conceived that PPP was behind highlighting such issues, saying that a pre-planned conspiracy was being hatched in the Presidency against the PML-N to defame its leadership in a bid to destroy the party popularity and divert the attention of people from main issues, including corruption, load-shedding and possible trial of Pervez Musharraf.
After an important top level party meeting in Lahore on Tuesday, PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal gave 48 hours ultimatum to the PPP to stop what he called propaganda against the popularity of PML-N leader or face the tit for tat response. In response, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira and Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said that the party had nothing to do with any conspiracy and the PML-N must do whatever it could within 48 hours.
Sources said the PML-N had decided to play an active role in the Centre instead of sitting as a friendly opposition and would counter all the allegations and raise the issues of public concern in and outside the parliament. Following the bitter trade of allegations, it seemed that the coalition government in Punjab is again on the verge of serious blow, which could harm both the sides.
Talking to Business Recorder, PML-N senior leader Siddiqul Farooq said the PML-N had not given any ultimatum to PPP, but it emphasised that the PPP should not encourage certain undemocratic elements, including the MQM, which was against the democracy and democratic norms. He said that his party believed that such issues were raised to divert people's attention from inflation, bad governance, loadshedding, corruption and trial of Musharraf.
The PML-N would raise these issues at all level and the government would not be allowed to take masses hostage, he added. He further said his party was not in favour of derailing the democratic system, but the ball was now in PPP's court to protect the system from the conspiracy being hatched by some quarters.
The PML-N, he said, did not want any confrontation with the PPP, but it had to fulfil its constitutional and legal obligation as well. PPP Information Secretary Fauzia Wahab said that PPP wanted continuation of reconciliation, and hoped the other side would also demonstrate maturity. The PML-N, she said, should not rely on blame game by ignoring the ground realities.