Pakistan Supreme Court’s disqualification of the Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has tipped the country into a sudden political crisis. According to the order, Pakistan ceased to have a PM since April 26 when Gilani was first convicted of contempt and given a symbolic sentence of less than one minute. However, this time Pakistan People’s Party was quick to accept the decision. The party nominated senior leader Makhdoom Shahabuddin as the new Pakistan premier.   There are already signs that the crisis has blown over, even though the ongoing feud between executive and the judiciary is likely to go on. The new PM will have to again deal with the question of re-opening graft cases against the president Asif Ali Zardari. The trajectory is likely to repeat itself. However, considering that its tenure is due to end by early next year, the Pakistan government may be successfully able to evade another confrontation with SC. And if it does so, it will be the first elected government in the country to successfully complete its term. That will be a tremendous boost for the fledgling democracy in the country.  The current crisis in the country, in a way, is indicative of the strengthening democratic institutions in the country. Despite being engaged in a mortal stand-off with army on one hand and the judiciary on the other, the PPP Government has stayed the course and to a large extent acted independently.  In its eyeball to eyeball confrontation with the army over the memo scandal, Gilani resolutely stood his ground.  Besides, his government moved with confidence in its dealings with its neighbours, particularly India. Though Pakistan Army remains an influential behind-the scenes actor, Gilani’s government left a distinct imprint of its own on Pakistan’s internal and external policies.   Go-ahead to the trade relations with New Delhi is one such radical step. Now, the decision to go along with SC order is another sign of maturing of the democratic political culture in Pakistan. One can only hope for a more stability in the equations between army, executive and judiciary. As only such a stability is the guarantee of the success of the country’s latest democratic experiment.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST