Pakistan: Factionalism in PML-N

Most of the problems the PML-N faces are caused by the prime minister’s highly personalised style of governance. The PML-N has no party life, no decision making bodies, no internal discussion and debate. The party chief keeps party members at arm’s length. Not to speak of ordinary lawmakers, even cabinet ministers cannot turn to him for help or advice. Nawaz Sharif continues to retain several portfolios, relying on bureaucrats instead of sharing his responsibilities with party colleagues. The cabinet meetings are infrequent as key decisions are taken by a kitchen cabinet that mostly comprises family members.

As there are no clear policy directions, one hand in the government does not know what the other is doing. Cabinet ministers openly contradict each other. A few months back Ch Nisar publicly ridiculed Sartaj Aziz on his statement regarding Washington’s assurance to suspend drone strikes. While Nisar called most TTP leaders patriots, some of his colleagues described them in TV shows as criminals and cutthroats who were out to destroy the country.

Instead of reconciling the differences between important leaders, there has been a tendency to look the other way as they fought against each other. The struggle for influence and power led some of the party old timers to form factions. Nawaz Sharif’s policy of promoting different leaders at different times further strengthened the tendency. This has led to the ongoing face-off between the interior minister and the party leadership.

The prime minister is reportedly going to expand the cabinet. The step is welcome as it would remove one of the old grievances among the ruling party parliamentarians. What is needed on Sharif’s part is to run the party on democratic lines. Decisions should be taken at proper forums after thorough discussions instead of being made arbitrarily and at the spur of the moment. None should be allowed to defy them. Differences within the party are useful only if they are expressed at proper forums and kept within manageable limits.