There are big smiles on the faces of the figures representing the Establishment these days. At the oath-taking ceremony of newly appointed Punjab Governor, one could easily note the four walls and the surrounding of the Governor's House in high spirits, gleeful at the political turnaround. Their amusement is understandable. The two main political parties that have joined hands with a promise to defeat the Establishment are already split up. Nawaz Sharif, the Quaid of PML has ordered his men to come out of the federal government, probably, never to go back. The statements and body language of Mr. Sharif suggest that the split is more of a permanent nature. Even the PPP leaders are not bothered to part with the PML (N) anymore. We hardly observe now Zardari saying that the PPP would wait for the League's ministers to return, and till then the seats left by them would remain vacant. Things were further marred when the PML (N)'s leaders got red faced at the appointment of Salman Taseer as the new governor, with its members and ministers staying away from the inaugural ceremony. The governor's episode tells a lot about the shape of things to come. That things will come to a pass so quickly was beyond the expectation of the people, who earlier exulted to see the past rivals forming an alliance for a noble cause which is to address the challenges faced by the nation and insulate the politics from the non-political forces. When the new governments were being formed a lot was at stake for the new political leadership, seizing power from the military rulers and their protTgTes against whom the people gave a clear verdict on February 18. The hopes were high when the political transition took place with PML (N), PPP, ANP, and JUI forming an alliance. For the political leadership it was a great opportunity to prove that they were equal to the task as against the propaganda carried out against them in the past by the non-political forces. The Establishment has all along painted the politicians as good for nothing, a corrupt lot, which is only interested in stuffing their pockets. Even some foreign powers doubt if the political leadership could conduct itself maturely. Hence, they want Musharraf to stay on. Thus, instead of seizing this opportunity with both hands, the political leaders have so far disappointed the people who brought them to power with high hopes. No wonder, smiles returned among the non-political forces. Already, the people are getting impatient with disillusionment is growing which is again not a good omen for the political institutions and leaders. They are looking up to the new leaders for some hope and deliverance. But they are not forthcoming. They are still stuck up with judges' issue not knowing how to reinstate them. Moreover, with two allies parting ways, and process of estrangement started, political uncertainty once again returned, and also taking its toll. Even most well informed people grope in the darkness about the future political configuration in the country. Meanwhile, the progress that was expected was held up till the time probably we leave the politics behind. Look at the federal government, it is yet to give any programme that could suggest that it is committed to take care of its people. So far, no initiative has been taken to reduce the miseries faced by the people particularly load shedding and inflation. Its programme to conserve power leaves much to be desired. Everybody is waiting in the wings what relief comes their way in the federal budget next month. The Punjab government is even worse off than the federal government. Here all we saw in the last three months is a tsunami of transfer/postings. The hiring and firing is the order of the day. It seems that the new provincial government wants to get rid of everybody. Already, the better lot of officers managed to sneak out of the province. The ministers and bureaucrats have no idea what is the mind of the Chief Minister. A newspapers report claimed that the ministers never got chance to meet the interim Chief Minister since oath-taking ceremony. Seeking audience of Shahbaz Sharif who is calling the shots is even more difficult thing for them. As such they have little idea what is the direction of the government, and what are its priorities. Likewise, Chief Secretary finds no time to meet important secretaries to firm up the agendas of their respective departments. The officers are harried and unsure about their future. They are not certain what to do and what not to do. As such business of the government has come to stand still.