Shadows of doubt: PPP, PML-Q alliance in G-B uncertain

PML-Q joined federal government but have failed to convince the chief minister and his cabinet to take them on board.

GILGIT:

Uncertainty hovers over an alliance between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B).

PML-Q joined the federal government one and half months ago, paving way for the rest of their members in provinces to follow suit. However in G-B they have failed to convince the chief minister (CM) and his cabinet to take them on board, resulting in a prolonged deadlock. The deadlock has created a gulf between the two political parties.

A senior PML-Q, when asked to shed light on the delay, said, “I think the senior leadership of both parties is least interested about our alliance in this region.”

He said the PML-Q leaders from G-B have discussed the issue with the central leadership of the party in Islamabad, asking them to work out a formula for the sharing of power in G-B.

“However the request seems to be falling on deaf ears as no development has taken place so far,” he added.

G-B CM Mehdi Shah denied being under pressure from any quarter including senior party leadership on the issue of including PML-Q in the government.

G-B Law Minister Mohammad Ali Akhtar said they have not yet made a decision with respect to PML-Q’s inclusion in the government.

Another senior PPP leader, Ismail, feared an irreparable loss to the credibility of the party in G-B if PML-Q is taken on board. He was of the view that the move will have a bad impact on the diehard workers of the party.

Some analysts believe that the G-B PPP wants G-B PML-Q leaders to issue statements supporting PPP policies in G-B -- something that is not very likely. Senior leader PML-Q Bashir Ahmed and the opposition leader in the assembly said they will continue criticizing the government policies they disgree with, even if they become part of it.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2011.