It will certainly be an unusual sight to see Maryam Nawaz at the death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh. The PPP is using the event as a political gathering as part of its protest movement against the government.
The PML-N and PPP were bitter foes for much of the past three decades but the presence of a third party at the helm of power has unsettled them. Within just two years, the opposition had shown unprecedented unity to oust the PTI government despite no corruption allegations against Prime Minister Imran Khan, claiming he is not suitable for the coveted job.
The politics of 1990s show how both parties conspired against each other. Nawaz Sharif even attempted to overthrown Benazir Bhutto’s democratically elected government on two occasions. Politicians literally sold their conscience to topple the government until other powers eventually took control. Both parties should remember their turbulent past before they get on the stage together once again.
Both parties are in the control of the younger generation – Maryam with PML-N and Bilawal with PPP – with Nawaz Sharif and Zardari acting as mentors rather than driving party policies. Both these leaders should understand the bitter rivalry and animosity between the two parties which cast a shadow over the political arena.
The PPP and PML-N claimed to have learned lessons and bury the politics of the past and embark on a path to reconciliation. Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto had even united against General Musharraf’s dictatorship and restored democracy. The PPP has famously stated that even weak democracy was better than a strong dictatorship.
It was soon realised the democratic process should be derailed at any cost. The question remains how Imran Khan’s government is any different. It is certainly a democratically-elected government which came into power through an election process in which all parties participated. The opposition should realise the aftermath of derailing the democratic process in the country.
It is nothing but vested interests that have brought the PML-N and PPP on the same platform as both find it hard to remain out of power for long. When Maryam Nawaz steps on the stage outside the grand tomb of the Bhutto family, it will be a testament of how times and politics have changed in Pakistan.
