LAHORE/KARACHI , 9 June — The government is considering setting up interim bodies to supervise the October elections, headed by politicians who may be contesting the polls themselves. Under this plan, interim bodies will be established both in the center and provinces. At present the government and its political aides have been studying its pros and cons, if the idea is really workable in the present circumstances.
It is not yet known if the caretaker executive can take part in the elections or not, though the names proposed so far are highly unlikely to seek temporary retirement from politics for the care-taking. It is learned that the name of Pervez Elahi is considered for Punjab while in the center Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari has been tipped as the candidate of caretaker prime minister. However, the candidates for other provinces have not been finalized.
Some other changes at federal and provincial levels in which a number of existing ministers may have to leave their jobs now seem certain because of the impending elections in the country.
Sindh Governor Muhammad Mian Soomro who earlier wanted to be a member of the National Assembly, has set his eyes on the chief ministership of his home province. He therefore wants to be a member of the Provincial Assembly. Education Minister Zubeda Jalal, and Minister for Kashmir Affairs Abbas Sarfaraz too wish to return to their constituencies.
But this is an explanation which is too simplistic in nature to be given a serious consideration. There is much more than meets the eye. Straws in the wind have been pointing to something significant like a possible rapprochement or at least some kind of understanding between the establishment and its foes.
On grounds of general principle and purely from historical perspective, such a development can only be described as a wishful thinking. Speculations have been rife here for some kind of a compromise between President Pervez Musharraf and leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party of Benazir Bhutto and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Sharif), but officials would not like to comment on that. Press reports have gone to the extent of suggesting mediation from friendly countries.
