Limiting the damage

THE statement by Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif the other day that he was not concerned about Governor Punjab Salman Taseer badmouthing his party shows that the political temperature is far from normal. While there is no denying his assertion that his government in the province enjoys the people's mandate, his subsequent warning to the Centre that it should brace itself for a crisis in case an attempt is made at destabilising the provincial government seems to carry an unfriendly undertone. This will doubtless increase the acrimony between the two main political parties in the country and put the future of the Punjab government in jeopardy.