The political tension between the current PPP-led government and the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz Group (PML-N) has reached a breaking point after the chief of PML-N Mr. Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif, ex Chief Minister Punjab, have been disqualified by the Supreme Court from holding political ranks now and in future. Mr. Nawaz Sharif, while addressing the public in a rally in Jehlum (Punjab) on Monday, has called for a revolution saying that the country cannot be left at the mercy of President Asif Ali Zardari. On the other hand, Mr. Sharif’s address has been called ‘mutiny’ by Interior Advisor Mr. Rahman Malik, who has also warned of indicting those responsible for inciting rebellion.

In his address at Jehlum, Mr. Nawaz Sharif called the Supreme Court a ‘fake court’ adding that if such courts were not dislodged by the President, the people would dislodge them on their own. While reiterating his determination of starting a long march of protest to Islamabad, Mr. Sharif asked the police not to follow the President’s orders that go against law. Saying he will go to the capital in protest for national integrity, Mr. Sharif urged on the people to accompany him in changing the destiny of the country. He also claimed that his party would soon govern the country.

Referring to Mr. Sharif’s fiery statements, Interior Advisor Mr. Rahman Malik called the chief of PML-N’s statements ‘mutiny’ and warned that people sparking a rebellion will be tried for the crime of sedition. He added that any damage to life and/or property, which takes place during PML-N’s long march, will entirely be the responsibility of those leading the sedition. At the same time, there has been news of the government planning a crackdown on politically active people who are likely to join the long march of PML-N and the lawyer community of Pakistan; the latter demanding the reinstatement of the deposed judges.

The Sharif brothers have claimed that the PPL-led government itself is guilty of treason, especially in the case of their disqualification and their failure to reinstate the judges. The Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, meanwhile, has stated that he will not side with the government in imposing its rule in Punjab. Assuring his regard for the Sharif brothers, Mr. Gilani said that any politial party showing the majority has the right to rule the country. Given his statement and Mr. Nawaz Sharif’s determination to make the government step down, it seems likely that a radical change in the political state of the country is once again knocking at the door of Pakistan’s politics. The next few weeks are therefore likely to be decisive in settling the political tension by either an agreement or a PML-N led revolution/rebellion.