FORMER President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday anticipated the formation of a “national unity government” after the upcoming general election, insisting that no single party would be able to secure a two-thirds majority. Zardari expressed confidence that the Feb 8 elections will be held on time. However, he ruled out the possibility of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif playing a leading role in the next government, suggesting that it was the PPP’s turn to take the helm.
What the PPP leader, who is known for political manoeuvrings, said, was a mixture of a prediction and a desire to have a PPP-led government at the Centre not on merit or outcome of the general election but on the basis of ‘turn’, which is not a good proposition. All political parties are free to try their luck in the forthcoming polls, which should be held in a free and fair manner but the future set up must reflect the will of the people as expressed on the voting day. As for the national unity government, this is considered to be an ideal situation in view of the grave challenges facing the country. Polarization has intensified to a worrisome level and it is generally believed that no single party can deliver. It seems, apart from Mr Zardari, other political leaders and parties also have a realization of the post-election scenario and that is why they are engaged in the formation of electoral alliances as well as understanding on seat adjustment both at the level of national assembly and provincial assemblies. And as for enlistment of support of the other parties is concerned, PML(N) has, at the moment, an upper edge as it has successfully managed support of almost all political forces that matter with the exception of PTI and PPP. Based on the ground situation, the prediction of the PPP leader is nothing but a desire to push the winners in the background through post-election manoeuvrings and only time will tell what actually emerges in February. Regarding assessment of the former President that he doesn’t foresee a lead role for PML(N) leader Mian Nawaz Sharif in the formation of the government, MNS is actively engaged in politics but it is a foregone conclusion that his fate would be determined by the outcome of the appeals he has filed in the higher judiciary against his conviction. It is also to be seen what happens to his disqualification during filing of the nomination papers for the next elections as there are two differing interpretations of the relevant laws. In a speech delivered at the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers’ convention in Murree, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asserted on Thursday that his political pursuits were not fuelled by personal ambitions to reclaim power for a fourth term. He also explicitly stated his commitment to avoiding misleading tactics in achieving his political objectives. His cautious remarks show the PML(N) leader too was mindful of the challenges ahead but also has a desire to serve the country. Irrespective of who heads the next government, the situation and fair-play demand the parties emerging as the single largest force in the national and the provincial assemblies should be given a chance to form governments with or without the support of other parties so that there are no grievances about the theft of someone’s mandate. In his interview, Mr. Zardari also criticized the performance of the previous PTI Government and politics of its Chairman Imran Khan, accusing him of using illegal and immoral tactics to retain power. This is in sharp contrast to the frequent statements by Chairperson of PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other leaders which are considered as expression of goodwill for the beleaguered PTI. Zardari’s somewhat harsher comments about the PTI leader might be an indication of problems in forging an understanding with the PTI. While Bilawal is urging the older lot of the leadership of different parties to give way to younger ones, Zardari has reminded him he has not enough experience to shoulder the onerous responsibility of looking after affairs of the country. Bilawal wishes to become Prime Minister as he asks people to give chance to new leaders instead of those tried for two/three times but Zardari’s candid acknowledgement that he was inexperienced means Bilawal might not be a candidate for the highest office even if PPP was in a position to form the next government.
