PPP PML-Q hook-up

In politics, as they say, enmities and alliances could replace each other without much ado, but when higher principles are at stake, such, for instance, as national interests. However, it would amount to debasing politics if two parties, which have been antagonistic to each other on serious issues, were to come together simply for the sake of either keeping a continued, unchallenged hold on power, as in the case of one (PPP); or entry into the corridors of power, as in the case of the other (PML-Q). After all, it was not too long ago that the latter was refderred to as Qatil (Killer) League in the words of PPP Co-Chairman Zardari, with reference to Benazir’s assassination charge against Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, PML-Q Punjab President! The move for a hookup of the two would rate poorly, also in the backdrop of loud claims of both to strengthen the roots of democracy in the country. Monday’s Lahore meeting between PPP and PML-Q leaders, led by Law Minister Babar Awan from the one side and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on the other, reeks of these unprincipled cravings for power. The PPP, feeling the heat of criticism from the MQM, its coalition partner both at the Centre and in Sindh, and a seemingly revitalised opposition, PML-N, the second largest mainstream party, is obviously not ready to forsake its blatant violations of law and Constitution. Nor does it care to have second thoughts about its policies that are soaked in corrupt practices. The golden rule of good governance, which alone could fulfil its dream of an uninterrupted rule by winning over these parties as well as public support, would call for a radical shift in its policies, but that would harm vested interests. Instead, forming alliances has been thought of as a convenient tool to checkmate any threat – Nation