PTI facing 'political management’ crisis

Dozen PTI lawmakers engaged with PML-N for tickets for next general polls

ISLAMABAD:

As the opposition parties are again gearing up for a possibility of an in-house change in parliament, the PTI government is facing a crisis of 'political management' as to how to keep intact its relationship with not only its allies, but also its own parliamentarians as well.

The failure could be witnessed two days ago, when a joint parliament session was postponed after the refusal of coalition partners, especially the PML-Q, as well as some PTI lawmakers, to back the ruling party’s bills on electoral reforms.

Since the PTI came into power in the 2018 elections, the government’s political management was being carried out by the security establishment.

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However, the situation dramatically changed after the recent episode wherein Prime Minister Imran Khan delayed the notification of the new director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

It is also being witnessed that a large number of PTI lawmakers have already made a close association with the establishment. A change is expected after November 20.

If the situation came to choose between the PTI and the establishment, most of them will opt for the latter.

A senior ruling party leader lamented the lack of an individual in the government that could keep PTI lawmakers intact on core issues.

Earlier, estranged PTI leader Jahangir Tareen played the role of a troubleshooter for Prime Minister Imran Khan during a crisis.

However, the leader added that now the relationship between PM Imran and Tareen was not cordial and becoming worse with the passage of time.

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The prime minister still blames Tareen for trying to destabilise his government by forming a group of dissident PTI lawmakers.

Sources revealed that a district police officer and a senior official went to a PTI lawmaker’s residence requesting him to attend the joint parliament session, but he refused straight away.

The party leader said that it was astonishing that government officials were being used for political management.

“Where are the party’s office-bearers and why they are not being used for this purpose?” he added.

It has been learnt that over a dozen PTI lawmakers are engaged with the opposition PML-N for tickets for the next general elections.

They might disclose their loyalty on the occasion of the opposition parties’ move for an in-house change.

However, political analysts believe that the political situation is much more dependent on the role of “powerful circles” -- whether they would remain neutral or provide support to the government in a crisis as they did since the 2018 general elections.

To avoid a controversy, the “powerful circles” are not taking any interest in a change in the political set-up because that will badly damage their reputation in the eyes of the PTI voters.

Similarly, they are still accused of being responsible for the ouster of former premier Nawaz Sharif as well as his conviction before the general elections.

Analysts say that the establishment's neutrality will be enough for opposition parties to create more troubles for PM Imran, who is becoming unpopular because of the country’s financial conditions. The opposition parties are going to unite on a one-point agenda -- the removal of PM Imran through an in-house change.

However, that will depend on the establishment’s role in the near future.

It has been learnt that the PML-N had agreed to support an in-house change as well as the formation of a government led by a PPP lawmaker.

Likewise, the party is willing to form its government in Punjab. However, the PML-Q might not agree on the formation of a Punjab government led by the PML-N.

Along with the coalition partners, the PTI’s estranged group led by Tareen is also significant factor for an in house change.

There is also the factor of lack of trust in the relationship of the PML-N and the establishment. The nature of relationship between two is also crucial for a political change.