THE process of transition to a new government is progressing steadily but there are numerous visible and invisible roadblocks that need to be removed to ensure sustainability of the future arrangement. As two major parties (PML-N and PPP) have already formed their governments in Punjab and Sindh, plan has been finalized for the government formation in Balochistan and the PTI’s parliamentary face of SIC is set to begin a fresh innings in the KP, Constitutional, legal and political challenges continue to pose threats to the formation of government at the Centre.
There were expectations that the power-sharing agreement between the PML(N) and the PPP would end confusion and uncertainty but several developments raise questions about the strength of the emerging coalition. In the first place, the very nature of the understanding reached between the two parties doesn’t seem to be reliable as the majority party will have no free hand in running affairs of the country or enacting laws in fulfilment of the pledges made to the people in its election manifesto. The PPP will have control over all the important constitutional offices and therefore, will be in a position to dictate its terms on crucial issues. There are already indications to support this assumption as reports suggest the PPP is pressurizing the PML(N) either not to give the governorship of Sindh to MQM-P or the nominee should be acceptable to the PPP. Similarly, leaks from MQM-P also reveal that the PPP has a differing stand on the very inclusion of the MQM-P into the folds of the coalition arguing PML(N) and PPP have the numbers to form the government without the support of the MQM-P. This demand is creating misunderstanding between PML(N) and MQM-P as the latter feels abandoned in view of its active role during the vote of no-confidence against the then Prime Minister Imran Khan and its enthusiastic participation in the coalition government. There should be no doubt that the MQM-P has the mandate of urban Sindh, which must be respected irrespective of political expediency or party interests. The MQM-P should also avoid making unreasonable demands and its legitimate demands should be accommodated not just by the federal government but also the Sindh Government for the sake of smooth working of the system. Similarly, the two major parties are also committing a political blunder by continuing to ignore the JUI(F) of Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, who has, once again, reiterated the old position of the party not to join the government or vote for the election of the Prime Minister and the President. It is part of history that Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman defended the cause of the coalition government in a loud and effective manner and deserves to be taken on board irrespective of the electoral performance of his party. It is strange that the PPP (which is to head the provincial government) and PML(N) are mutually discussing distribution of important offices in Balochistan to the exclusion of JUI(F), which has bagged seats equal to the two other parties. Of late, some leaders of PML(N) are hinting at the possibility of serious talks with the JUI(F) for its inclusion in the future setup, which augurs well for the system. No doubt, it is encouraging that the PTI has so far not gone for a boycott of the electoral processes despite serious reservations over the issue of alleged rigging in elections. It announced its intention to contest election of leader of the house in Punjab Assembly but then chose to stay out. The party has also announced plans to field Omer Ayub, Amir Dogar and Junaid Khan to contest elections for the offices of the Prime Minister and Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly respectively. However, at the same time, the party is focusing to build up pressure by continuing to agitate the issue of rigging on roads even before exhausting all available legal options for redressal of its grievances. We have been emphasizing in these columns that all the three major parties will have their governments in the provinces, which would offer them ample opportunity to implement their agendas and manifestos and therefore, no effort should be made to shake the system at the federal level as already the governance in Islamabad would be a bed of thorns.
