“Pakistani politics is like a monsoon downpour — today’s rivals are tomorrow’s allies, and tomorrow’s allies may once again turn into opponents.”
Pakistani politics has always resembled a season of ever-changing colors: sometimes a storm of hostility, sometimes a rainbow of alliances, sometimes scorching sunshine, and at times relentless rain. The current scenario is no different. The Pakistan Muslim League (N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party, once sworn enemies, now stand shoulder to shoulder in the upcoming by-elections.
The ruling alliance has announced that it will not field candidates against each other in these polls and has formalized a mutual support formula. In constituencies where one party’s candidate stood second in the last election, the other party will withdraw in its favor. In other words, the political friendship of “we for you, you for us” has been sealed with a stamp of approval.
On principle, this appears to be a positive development; however, in Pakistani politics, principles often become subservient to protocol and vested interests. A look back at history reveals that in the 1990s these very two parties were bent on ousting each other from power. Either PPP’s government was dismissed or PML-N’s administration was suspended. Politics had devolved to such an extent that enmity descended into personal vendettas. It was often said: “Fighting and fighting till they both disappeared — one’s beak and the other’s tail.”
But time moves on, and therein lies the charm of politics. After 2008, relations between the two parties softened. PPP ministers joined Shahbaz Sharif’s cabinet in Punjab, while PML-N leaders briefly took oath during PPP’s tenure in the federation. Today, the era of mutual political warfare between the two appears to be over, giving rise to a new political alignment.
Yet, the real contest now is with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. On one side, PML-N and PPP are consolidating their positions; on the other, PTI is grappling with internal discord. One day comes the announcement to boycott the by-elections; the next day, statements emerge about participating. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari quipped, “They cannot even find candidates.” Perhaps that is why PTI has been weighing the boycott option. The question is: if PTI truly withdraws from the by-polls, will the PML-N–PPP alliance formula still hold?
Veteran politicians know well that political agreements in Pakistan are often temporary. As one senior leader once said, “Political deals are just for the moment.” Tomorrow may look different from today. It is not inconceivable that in the future PML-N, PPP, and PTI may stand united against another force altogether.
Political differences are the essence of democracy — provided they do not descend into personal enmity and vendetta. When politics turns personal, the “beak and tail” both vanish, and it becomes hard to discern the true shape of the bird itself. The people of Pakistan are still in search of that political bird which prioritizes principles, democracy, and public service.
The true purpose of politics is public service and democratic continuity — not personal egos or short-term gains. The real question now is: how long will the current PML-N–PPP alliance last, and what tangible benefits will it bring to the people? Political seasons will keep changing, but the nation hopes that after the storm, at the very least, the sun of prosperity and stability will shine.
