Square one

The return of the MQM to the treasury fold ends the suspense that has been continuing for many days over the future of the government. The PPP, having regained its majority in the National Assembly, has warded off the immediate threat it had faced of a no confidence move against it.  However, it may be premature to look on this as an all-out victory. The ruling party was able to persuade the MQM back in the government only by making some major concessions. The withdrawal of the increase in petrol prices was chief among these.  The move has created complications with Washington, raising new questions about sovereignty. It has also made the task of managing a floundering economy all the more difficult. Some would argue that it may, in fact, have weakened the PPP in the longer run. The party has been made to seem somewhat desperate to keep its hold on rule at all costs. But on the other hand, democracy, as a form of government, listens to the voice of the people rather than ignoring them, as happens under dictatorial set-ups. This is its strength.

The true connotations of the agreement will emerge over the coming weeks. The MQM has opted to remain out of the Federal Cabinet. This means it is well placed to continue its criticism of the government and move away whenever it chooses. Though it has won back its’ government, the vulnerability of the PPP remains. The prime minister, on his first visit to the MQM headquarters in Karachi, had to sit through a series of slogans suggesting that Sindh and Karachi belonged to Altaf Hussain. But despite all this, successful talks with the MQM mark an important scoring of points for the PPP. Much will now depend on how it builds on the situation. The task of running a coalition government is never an easy one.  It has been reported that promises have been made to the MQM on various issues, including abandoning the reformed general sales tax (RGST) and tackling corruption at various levels. These will not be simple. The true test for the prime minister and his team could still lie ahead. For now, calm has returned. We do not know how long it will last or at what cost it has been won.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9^th, 2011.