Editorial

PPP and PML-Q: A divisive alliance

Significant issues have risen even before the new ministers walk into their office or assume other trappings of power.

Editorial May 03, 2011

The forming of coalitions, the reaching of power-sharing agreements and negotiations between political groups are generally supposed to bring political parties closer together. Just the opposite may have happened in the case of the PPP-PML-Q alliance, with 10 ‘Q’ ministers taking oath. Whereas the arrangement serves what may be the primary purpose of delivering a blow to the PML-N in its fortress in Punjab, the PPP and the PML-Q, too, seem to be facing some ricochet.

Within the PML-Q there is annoyance over the deal agreed on by the Chaudhrys, with a number of new ministers dissatisfied with their portfolios. The fact that three immediate relatives of the Chaudhry clan were given cabinet posts has only added to the angst, while others within the party believe it should never have linked up with the PPP in the first place. The situation is not a happy one and Shujaat Hussain and Pervaiz Elahi are said to have reached the deal almost on their own, with much internal resistance. There is also conjecture that more factions may form within a party that is already splintered. Within the PPP, too, all is not well. Questions of ideological integrity have been raised, Raza Rabbani has quit his post as minister and disquiet is said to run down the ranks, overtaking workers who see the Chaudhrys as arch-enemies of the Bhuttos and of their beliefs.

These issues have for now taken centre-stage. But there are other elements to the agreement which could assume great significance in the years ahead. There has been a consensus on carving out two new provinces — one in the Seraiki belt and one in Hazara. The implications of this are many; questions arise over opting for provinces on the basis of ethnicity alone. This will become a key election issue — provided the alliance holds and is able to work together despite significant issues that have arisen even before the new ministers walk into their offices or assume the other trappings of power.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (1)

SharifL | 13 years ago | Reply I agree with your analysis; the coalition is not based on mutual ideology but self interest. Whereas PPP would like to carry on in the driving seat until elections in 2013, PMLQ fears that remaining in opposition will sink the party to insignificance. But really, PMLQ is slightly more secular than PMLN and hence it is good for Pakistan to carry on with such policies. Let PMLN join Taliban or other Islamic parties; it is sympathetic to their cause anyway. Pakistan needs to confront Taliban like ideologies, which give far too much significance to traditional old values of armed conversions instead of modern day approaches.

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