Wednesday, April 9, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 2,1429    

Arbab factor in MQM’s share in power

Comment
Nasir Mahmood

karachi—With oath taking by Syed Qaim Ali Shah as Chief Minister on Tuesday, a new era for PPP in the province has begun. His government will have to face great challenges like; law and order, unemployment, inflation and political turmoil which were handed over by the outgoing caretakers. The Chief Minister assumed office in wake of manhandling of former Sindh Chief Minister Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim during Assembly session. The incident took place as former CM entered in Assembly amid beefed up security from backdoor. He took oath as member of Sindh Assembly. Political workers shouted at former CM despite warnings by Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah.

“Fatiha” was offered for the victims of Karsaz and December 27 incidents. Arbab Ghulam Rahim was manhandled by some agitated political workers when he left Sindh Assembly soon after taking oath. Police vehicle deployed for his security was also stoned.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement staged a walkout from Sindh Assembly over the incident. Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah apologized Arbab Ghulam Rahim. MQM decided to boycott the Sindh Assembly session for indefinite period.

According to observers the political victimization and incidents of violence create bad image of the country. All political forces in the province as well as social and religious organizations will have to cooperate with the government and the government should show patience on its part.

However, walkout decision made by MQM was also being considered a harsh and unjustified step especially when control of the government was yet not handed over to PPP regime and it was still caretakers’ responsibility to stop such occurrences. It may be mentioned here that a major part of the caretaker set up in the province comprised the nominees of the MQM hierarchy. Hence, PPP leadership at Bilawal House called for severe action against high police officials such as IG Sindh and CCPO Karachi who were responsible for such lapses. They claimed it was intentional attempt by the administration which must be deplored.

Informed sources disclosed that MQM had meant to put pressure through walkout against possible outcome of the ongoing talks between two teams of PPP and MQM where it was trying hard to get maximum share in the newly formed Sindh cabinet. The talks were already in jeopardy on the issue of governorship. MQM was keenly interested to retain Dr Ishratul Ibad as governor Sindh while PPP had refused to accept this demand. PPP leaders wanted to replace him and appoint their party member as governor within a week.

The talks process between PPP and MQM leadership on distribution of ministries in Sindh province was passing through a very difficult phase. Battle of wits was going on for last three days as demands raised by MQM hierarchy were not acceptable for their counterpart. It was not only interested in getting a handsome share in ministries of the province but also urging to have 36 percent quota in new recruitments for provincial employment vacancies and other official affairs.

According to information filtered through corridors of the meeting rooms MQM negotiating team has pointed out that PPP had 90 while MQM had 51 seats. It was 64 percent and 36 percent respectively; hence MQM claims it’s right on all the provincial affairs including ministries at the ratio of 36 percent. Under this formula if there are 30 ministries announced then MQM would be entitled to at least for 11 ministries. In addition to this MQM had also claimed for the slot of Deputy Speaker which was turned down by PPP team, and subsequently the partners were compelled to withdraw from filing of nomination for Dy: Speaker’s candidature on Sunday morning in favour of PPP nominee.

PPP’s top leadership was amazed to hear such demands as their new friends had initially announced to extend unconditional support in center as well as the province, but now they were going so high. On the other hand majority members of the PPP were not willing to give more than 4 ministries to MQM nominees as was earlier held in 1988 coalition government of both parties. Some other sources claimed that MQM was interested to get at least six ministries plus four advisors while PPP may offer them only three ministries and two advisories.   

MQM, in addition wants to retain its Governor in the province and keenly interested to hold the charge of Home Ministry. If it did not succeed then they will prefer to get the portfolios of Excise & Taxation, Finance, and local bodies, Health, Revenue and Education. Contrary to this PPP had offered them the ministries of Labor, Industry, Women development and Health. The final decision was yet to be taken.