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It is said Nature abhors a vacuum. Similarly, in politics, power vacuums are soon filled by the ambitious or greedy. A power vacuum of sorts exists in Pakistan which, to followers of the political scene there, is not surprising. A controversy exists between the leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party of the late Benazir Bhutto, now co-chaired by her widower Asif Ali Zardari, and the Pakistan Muslim League of Nawaz Sharif.
These parties, once political opponents, allowed their extreme differences to be set aside to contest an election on a single mandate: deposing President Pervez Musharraf. There were side issues involved - like the reinstatement of the judges sacked by Musharraf - but the main aim of the coalition of these dominant political parties was single-minded and deliberate: Musharraf must go.
Some four months after victory for the civilian coalition, nothing has materialised of the promises bandied about during the election campaign. Musharraf has shown he has more than a comprehensive grip on power and, amazingly, a savvy understanding of politics, or at least Pakistan politics, because he still stands astride a turbulent government unable to reach decisions.
Perhaps it is to be expected that there is division in the coalition government. When an election is fought on a one-item agenda - and that has so far failed to produce any results - it is inevitable there will be rumblings of discontent not only among party members but also the electorate.
It is alleged Zardari is now leery of reinstating the judges as they might annul an agreement reached between Musharraf and Bhutto on corruption charges laid against her. But Zardari is also filling the Cabinet posts with his friends, thereby upsetting Sharif.
Meanwhile, waiting to fill the vacuum the internal dispute is creating are the Taliban knocking on the border doors.
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