It all started with the revelation in September 1972 by Maulana Kausar Niazi, the then federal information minister and a close associate of prime minister ZA Bhutto, that the head of the National Awami Party, Khan Abdul Wali Khan; the chief minister of Balochistan, Sardar Ataullah Khan Mengal; and the finance minister of Balochistan, Ahmed Nawaz Bugti had a meeting in London with then prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In this meeting a conspiracy was hatched to destabilise Pakistan by instigating the secession of Balochistan.
Although Mujibur Rahman and the Pakistani leaders alleged to be part of the so-called “London Plan” denied any such conspiracy, Bhutto used it as one of the pretexts to dismiss the government of Balochistan in February 1973.
The same London is again making headlines in Pakistani politics as PM Shehbaz Sharif is holding key meetings with his elder brother in London reportedly to take his guidelines on the country’s political issues and the “big appointment” due in the month of November.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was scheduled to leave for Pakistan in the wee hours of Saturday, has extended his stay in London for a couple of days. According to sources, PM Shehbaz has extended his stay in London due to some health issues. The Prime Minister will now return to Pakistan on Sunday or Monday.
There are hard realities that subscribe to the notion of the London Plan. First, political leaders, whether from the opposition or the government, find it convenient to assemble in London to brainstorm on matters of national importance.
There is no harm in political leaders entering into a discourse with each other but if Pakistani politics is done in London, it shows the politicians’ lack of confidence in their home constituency. If these political leaders consider London to be a suitable place to for meetings to discuss Pakistan’s fate, then they are displaying a lack of ownership.
The current COAS himself has said that he is not taking an extension and will leave the office as his tenure ends on November 27. PTI chief Imran Khan is also demanding to appoint the next army chief on merit, PM Shehbaz Sharif has also said new chief will be appointed on merit, if this is so then why have both leaders can’t stop politicizing this issue? It is unprecedented in the country’s history that the appointment of COAS has been made politicized to such an extent.
Exercising political restraint from both side is the need of the hour as chaos and political anarchy will only bring more problems for Pakistan and its citizens.
