Few more days to go

It would take a few more days before all the hustle and bustle of the July 25th settles down into silence. Would still take some time for the clouded skies of Punjab to surface out a clearer picture for the two tussling parties,  that is Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz. Although, an overwhelmed PTI prepping to bring its party head in the Prime Minister’s Office is in a far better position to win Takht-e-Punjab with PML-Q and independents already in talks with it.  With PPP and PML-N allying on the other side, the situation is still not close to turn out similar to the one from 2008, where PML-N formed government in Punjab with a difference of 14 with the PPP who formed the federal government, yet the former quitted the Federal Ministerial positions only four months into the new government while choosing to play as opposition against PPP.

As of now, PTI leading with a slight margin, has Yasmeen Rashid as one among the many contenders for the position of Punjab’s Chief Minister. With more than a few alliance options to mull over from all across the four provinces, for PTI accepting PML-N’s mandate shall be the hardest, hence this might result in the drastically winning party siding with all the others but the PML-N.

Regardless, the role of the ‘Electables’, has played a decisive role in the outcome of the polls. These ‘electables’, having PML-N defectors and independent candidates are now not only strengthening PTI’s position in Southern Punjab, but have also swept PPP into power in Sindh province.  As for the religious factions and those who have bagged minimal representation, not much will change except for making the maximum out of the offers the major winners will make, case in point, PML-Q’s unrealistic demand for the position of CM Punjab or a deputy prime minister.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30^th, 2018.

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