The Pakistani Spectator

With the deposed judges being restored one by one, and the cue of rejected, converted, manipulated, purchased, and compromised politician outside the Zardari House growing, what’s the future of PML-N? Though they have their government in Punjab, but PPP has shown it’s intentions by placing the arch-rival of PML-N, Salman Taseer as governor in Punjab and by not relinquishing the provincial ministries despite of catcalls from the various PML-N leaders.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, who also belongs to the Southern part of the Punjab has oft shown his desire to make Punjab fort of PPP and he spends one day in the week in the provincial capital Lahore. Asif Ali Zardari himself yearns to take over Punjab, and he is often seen in the Governor House, Lahore. PPP has got immense seats in the Punjab Assembly and they are not ready to give their former allies free run in the biggest province of Pakistan.

PML-N remained steadfast on their stance over judiciary and they sacrificed a lot for their stance. They made a coalition with PPP in the elections despite of heavy opposition from within their party, and they give repetitive concessions to PPP over the restoration of judges, appointment of Salman Taseer, bi-elections, impeachment of Musharraf, indemnity to Musharraf and upon various other issues. PML-N was played over by the co-chairman of PPP, Zardari and as soon as the chair of president became vacant, PML-N was shown the door with a cold shoulder.

The disappointment in the cadres of the PML-N is not only palpable, it’s oozing out of the nostrils of every leader at each level of the party. This disappointment is fast turning into an anger and the likes of Ahsan Iqbal, Chaudhary Nisar and Javed Hashmi are just unable to restrain themselves. They feel cheated and they feel exploited, and they want pay back now. Though sanity is prevailing in the top leadership of PML-N and still the tone of Mian Nawaz Sharif is polite, low and concerned, the shock and dashed hopes are vivid from Jati Umra.

PML-N enjoys the popular support in the most populous province of Pakistan. The popularity graph of Nawaz Sharif is all time high. His principled, painstakingly conscientious and placid politics has won the hearts and minds. He is all set to become a leader of top-notch quality and sublime elevation. He must not let the hawks in his party to ruin his extremely dazzling future. He may have been sidelined by the shenanigans of PPP, but by all means this is the last time that PPP has got such a majority in the parliament. There is no more Benazir Bhutto to be assassinated anymore to give PPP such a power injection for resurrection and to make a crook like Zardari, a top leader.