News Analysis |
Following the release of the Baqir Najfi report, political parties have joined hands to formulate a plan of action against the incumbent government. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) leaders are set to meet Dr. Tahirul Qadri on Saturday.
On Friday, PTI’s central executive committee held a meeting in which Justice Najafi’s report on the 2014 Model Town tragedy was discussed. Later in the day, a press release stated that PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi and members Jahangir Tareen, Chaudhry Sarwar, Aleem Khan, Ejaz Chaudhry and Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed will be a part of the delegation which will meet PAT Chief Tahir ul Qadri today.
Political pundits are of the view that in order to avoid such an outcome, PML-N must take the initiative and address the genuine concerns of the opposition.
PTI also echoed PAT’s demand for resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Law Minister Rana Sanaullah. Moreover, PAT Chairman also contacted PSP Chairman Mustafa Kamal and thanked him for his support to the victims of Model Town. Kamal was invited to Lahore by Dr. Tahir ul Qadri, which he accepted.
Read more: PPP and PML-N unite once again?
On Thursday, the PPP joined PAT in its demand for the resignation of the Punjab chief minister, when its co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari announced to work with Dr. Qadri following a lengthy meeting between the two leaders in Lahore.
Problems Exacerbating for PML-N
The ruling party is already under pressure due to the pending NAB references against the Sharif family. Moreover, the recent Khatam-e-Nubuwat fiasco has damaged the image and vote bank of the incumbent government.
The ruling party is already under pressure due to the pending NAB references against the Sharif family. Moreover, the recent Khatam-e-Nubuwat fiasco has damaged the image and vote bank of the incumbent government.
The release of the Baqir Najfi report at this time has exacerbated problems for PML-N. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has already been disqualified on corruption charges. Now his younger brother, Shehbaz Sharif is under pressure of resignation after the abrupt release of the Model Town report.
The opposition parties, chiefly PPP and PTI are expected to capitalize on the pressure on the ruling party and make gains at its expense. Asif Ali Zardari has already pledged his support for PAT while PTI’s leadership is set to meet Dr. Qadri today.
Read more: PML-N: out or not-out?
Analysts have expressed concerns that dharna politics is set to begin once again and that the probability of early elections cannot be ruled out especially after the release of the report. This might increase the pressure on the incumbent government, but it is also expected to strengthen ‘other forces’ which have been accused of meddling in the country’s democratic process.
Political pundits are of the view that in order to avoid such an outcome, PML-N must take the initiative and address the genuine concerns of the opposition. They have also advised PTI and PAT not to go far another lengthy dharna since it will damage country’s image and can also hamper CPEC’s progress.
They also opined that early elections may be the plausible solution to the current political crisis which emerged after the release of Justice Najfi’s report.