Editorial/Ansar Bhatti

As the Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaisar is all set to call the National Assembly session in the wake of no-trust move submitted by the opposition parties, the government seems to have geared up its efforts to not only woo the estranged allies but to keep its own vote back intact. Currently, various methods are under consideration of both the Opposition and the government as to how to deal with those who are likely to vote against the treasury benches. The government wants to bar all its members from attending the session with the contention that since the move is put forth by the opposition parties therefore it is their headache to bring 172 members. The analysts have termed the government move unfair and a dime a dozen attempt to stop worthy members from exercising their will rather freely.

According to a news report published in this newspaper, the opposition is said to have extended an offer to PML Q that in case of its support to the no-trust against the prime minister, Ch. Pervez Elahi name shall be supported for the slot of the Punjab Chief Minister. Ostensibly, this is the offer PML Q had been waiting for quite anxiously. A senior minister hailing from PML Q in his recent interview made it clear that his party would like to remain in power for which it could go to any extent. The Minister’s statement did not augur well for the government for hitherto it has been banking on the support of PML Q both in the Punjab and at Center.

 MQM, another party that wishes to be in power come what may, is likely to choose a course of action for it since time is running out. Like PMLQ, MQM’s dilemma is that it never wants to be in the opposition. The reason being obvious that scores of cases are pending against its leaders. Being in the opposition means opening of all these cases, which the party cannot afford. In the light of the above, MQM would also like to swim with the tide.

People believe the establishment is neutral this time. Taking a lead from the past events in our polity it becomes evident that the Establishment has never been neutral and can never be neutral. Nevertheless it can be said that it is no longer supporting the ruling PTI spearheaded by Prime Minister Imran Khan.