Politics of confrontation |
THE possibility of governor rule in KP has been widely discussed for months but it now seems imminent. The mounting tension between the provincial and federal governments appears to have reached a critical point. Recent statements by some government ministers indicate that the option is being seriously considered.
Any such move would plunge the country deeper into crises, with far-reaching political and security consequences. The shrinking democratic space in the country has already created a volatile situation and the ongoing politics of confrontation could derail the entire system. Can the country, which is facing multiple internal and external security challenges, afford such a reckless action?
Among the reasons cited by the federal government for this potential move are security and governance problems in KP. It may be true that the strategically located province is facing perhaps its worst security challenge in a decade, with terrorism claiming hundreds of lives, but the main responsibility of this worsening security situation lies with the federal government and security establishment. The pretext of bad governance is equally spurious with conditions in the other provinces hardly enviable.
It is all about power politics and pushing the PTI government in KP to the wall. For over a year now, the establishment-backed federal government has done everything it can to destabilise the PTI government that still enjoys a dominant presence in the KP Assembly, despite being denied its share of reserved seats for women and the minorities.
Any move to impose governor’s rule in KP could plunge the........