ISLAMABAD – Shaken to its foundations by a court ruling scrapping amnesty to corruption-tainted politicians, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led government is struggling to contain the fallout of the landmark verdict and prevent its collapse.
“Legally, the PPP can continue until it loses its majority in the parliament,” political analyst Rasul Baksh Raees told IslamOnline.net Saturday, December 19.
“But yes, morally, the government is on a weak wicket, and facing a moral crisis.”
The Supreme Court on Wednesday scrapped the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), under which corruption charges were dropped against PPP leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari.
Following the ruling, Defense Minister Ahmed Mukhtar was banned from leaving the country on an official visit to close ally China.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik was also summoned by a Pakistani court over re-opening a corruption case.
Corruption cases were also opened by the anti-corruption bureau against 52 officials.
“The Supreme Court has very wisely decided this complicated issue,” Abdul Khalique Ali, a Karachi-based political analyst, said.
“There is no ouster of the elected government. It’s very simple equation that the all the accused has been given a chance to prove themselves not-guilty in the courts of law.”
The ruling party was to hold crisis talks Saturday under Zardari in a bid to contain the fallout of the court ruling on the government.
"The meeting will discuss the present political situation," said Zardari spokesman Farhatullah Babar.
Zardari is immune from prosecution as president, but his eligibility for office could be challenged over corruption charges. Cabinet ministers have no such immunity.
Officials were tight lipped on the options up for discussion during the meeting.
"The party would like to take into account the point of view of its members, their suggestions and the strategy that the government should adopt," said PPP spokeswoman Fauzia Wahab.
Ouster
Analysts agree that the landmark court ruling has put the south Asian country on the right track.
“I see this a milestone that would ultimately lead to corruption-free politics in Pakistan,” Raees said.
“For the first time in the history of Pakistan, the top judiciary has given a judgment that has put the country on right track.”
The analyst urged the PPP-led government to take a positive approach in dealing with the verdict.
“After this judgment, Pakistani nation has many positive points to enumerate,” he said.
“First, we have an independent judiciary, secondly, we are proceeding towards an environment wherein all those corrupt politicians who have looted this country cannot rule without clearing themselves off.”
Ali, the Karachi-based analyst, agrees.
“If this judgment is implemented with its letter and spirit, it will change the dimension of the country’s politics,” he said.
“It will be for the first time in the history of Pakistan, that there will be no discrimination between the government and the opposition members.”
Analysts predict a gloomy future for the PPP-led government over any attempt to influence the judiciary over the ruling.
“If the PPP government tries to influence the judiciary and the investigators, I am afraid it will not be tolerated, and may lead to its ouster,” Raees said.
“My sincere advice to all the NRO-beneficiaries to step down voluntarily to save the PPP from further dents.”
Ali, the Karachi-based analyst, shares his view.
“The ball is in the government’s court,” he told IOL.
“If it really respects the judgment, it will have a smooth sailing despite the fact that some hidden forces are out to oust the PPP government.
“Resignation of those ministers charged with corruption and misuse of authority can wipe out the moral lacking.”
“Legally, the PPP can continue until it loses its majority in the parliament,” political analyst Rasul Baksh Raees told IslamOnline.net Saturday, December 19.
“But yes, morally, the government is on a weak wicket, and facing a moral crisis.”
The Supreme Court on Wednesday scrapped the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), under which corruption charges were dropped against PPP leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari.
Following the ruling, Defense Minister Ahmed Mukhtar was banned from leaving the country on an official visit to close ally China.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik was also summoned by a Pakistani court over re-opening a corruption case.
Corruption cases were also opened by the anti-corruption bureau against 52 officials.
“The Supreme Court has very wisely decided this complicated issue,” Abdul Khalique Ali, a Karachi-based political analyst, said.
“There is no ouster of the elected government. It’s very simple equation that the all the accused has been given a chance to prove themselves not-guilty in the courts of law.”
The ruling party was to hold crisis talks Saturday under Zardari in a bid to contain the fallout of the court ruling on the government.
"The meeting will discuss the present political situation," said Zardari spokesman Farhatullah Babar.
Zardari is immune from prosecution as president, but his eligibility for office could be challenged over corruption charges. Cabinet ministers have no such immunity.
Officials were tight lipped on the options up for discussion during the meeting.
"The party would like to take into account the point of view of its members, their suggestions and the strategy that the government should adopt," said PPP spokeswoman Fauzia Wahab.
Ouster
Analysts agree that the landmark court ruling has put the south Asian country on the right track.
“I see this a milestone that would ultimately lead to corruption-free politics in Pakistan,” Raees said.
“For the first time in the history of Pakistan, the top judiciary has given a judgment that has put the country on right track.”
The analyst urged the PPP-led government to take a positive approach in dealing with the verdict.
“After this judgment, Pakistani nation has many positive points to enumerate,” he said.
“First, we have an independent judiciary, secondly, we are proceeding towards an environment wherein all those corrupt politicians who have looted this country cannot rule without clearing themselves off.”
Ali, the Karachi-based analyst, agrees.
“If this judgment is implemented with its letter and spirit, it will change the dimension of the country’s politics,” he said.
“It will be for the first time in the history of Pakistan, that there will be no discrimination between the government and the opposition members.”
Analysts predict a gloomy future for the PPP-led government over any attempt to influence the judiciary over the ruling.
“If the PPP government tries to influence the judiciary and the investigators, I am afraid it will not be tolerated, and may lead to its ouster,” Raees said.
“My sincere advice to all the NRO-beneficiaries to step down voluntarily to save the PPP from further dents.”
Ali, the Karachi-based analyst, shares his view.
“The ball is in the government’s court,” he told IOL.
“If it really respects the judgment, it will have a smooth sailing despite the fact that some hidden forces are out to oust the PPP government.
“Resignation of those ministers charged with corruption and misuse of authority can wipe out the moral lacking.”
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