Convince the PPP MNAs

During conversations with my Pakistani American friends, they find it difficult to understand why, nearly five months after the February 18 elections, in which the people gave them an overwhelming mandate to oust Musharraf and reinstate the illegally deposed judges, the politicians have failed to do just that. When I say to them it is unfortunate that at this time the leadership of the largest party in parliament is in the hands of a person who, in order to get rid of his corruption cases, has struck a deal with Musharraf, they are not convinced.

They say: you people are always talking about misfortune. If the boss of the PPP is doing this in his personal interest, why can the MNAs and the CEC members of the party not do something? Why can they not make him change track? And if they cannot, why do they not rebel, or even leave the party? Surely lots of people will support them. Then I have to tell them that I do not agree this will happen. When they ask why, I say, “Well, because the vast majority of the voters are illiterate; they will not sympathise with any rebellion against the Bhutto family. And, as you know, the PPP co-chairman has got himself identified with this family.