Strengthening democracy

The PML(N) meanwhile observed the ninth anniversary of the military takeover as Defence of Democracy Day with Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif surprising the audience at the main ceremony at their Raiwind Estate by his recital of Habib Jalib's poetry. But it was Mian Nawaz who raised some pertinent questions in his address. He sought General Musharraf's accountability for the crimes he had committed during his rule. And he had a point when he said that it was time the political leadership tried to find out why democracy could not take root and how military takeovers could be forestalled in future. But when he expressed his dissatisfaction about the in-camera security briefings of Parliament, he should have come up with some suggestions about dealing with the growing violence in the tribal areas, now spreading across the country. Mian Nawaz should keep in mind that without recommending an alternative counterinsurgency plan, he would only be seen as opposing the parliamentary session to keep the PPP from making political capital out of this exercise.

There is no doubt that the President has a big credibility gap stemming from not only his broken pledges, but certain of his statements aimed at appeasing the Bush administration that created distrust among coalition partners. It is time he came clean about his government's policy to meet the challenges facing the country. Mian Nawaz must also stop shirking his responsibility and contribute in the effort to devise a comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy.