The coalition government hinted on Saturday that it was ready to walk away from power and take its case to the people if not allowed to freely rule the country and complete the remaining constitutional term.
The threat to leave the government came from Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah against the backdrop of an ongoing stalemate between the PML-N-led coalition government and the powerful stakeholders of the country.
“If we are stopped from working, our hands and feet are tied and reservations are expressed on our performance then those responsible should take the burden. Why should we take the responsibility when we are not responsible for destroying the economy,” the interior minister said, adding “we would approach the masses after discussing with the [government] allies”.
On Thursday, it was reported that serious differences seemed to have emerged between the multi-party government and the stakeholders on the duration of the incumbent government’s tenure. The treasury lawmakers as well as the official statements have repeatedly said that the government was ready to take tough decisions to steer the country out of the economic and political crisis but on the condition that it will serve the remaining constitutional term in office without any hindrance or intrigues.
However, they said, the powerful quarters were now increasingly inclined towards holding early elections in the country – a phenomenon that suddenly emerged, and embroiled the government and the powerful quarters in a dispute and ultimately delayed PM Shehbaz Sharif’s address to the nation being planned and postponed for days.
The premier’s desire to have support from the powerful quarters has been evident as he has repeatedly said that the kind of backing that ex-premier Imran Khan got was unprecedented and had any other government was given even a quarter of assistance the country would have progressed like anything.
The interior minister’s statement has come on the heels of PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s statement in a public rally the other day where she did not mince any words when she said that it would be better to quit the government than to burden people with a price hike.
Those familiar with the developments said that the stakeholders want the government to end subsidy on petroleum products and avail the IMF programme, as the international money lender has linked the revival of the package with ending the subsidy.
However, they said, the government was not ready to take the measures as the stakeholders want the government to announce the date for elections afterwards.
This, they say, makes the government side feel would damage their election prospects and vote bank as people would hold them responsible for increasing prices of the petroleum products.
The delay in the premier’s address to the nation, especially, after the information minister revealed that the economic plan was ready has strengthened the speculation that the Centre was also using the delay as leverage for ensuring the government’s full term.
Political experts say that the lack of clarity about the tenure was taking a toll on the country’s national interests because of the ongoing stalemate between the coalition government and the powerful stakeholders.
To mull over the issue, the premier along with senior PML-N leadership has been holding meetings with the allies on an almost daily basis.
The official statements released after the meetings typically state that the participants discussed the current situation in the country in detail; the allies expressed full confidence in the PM and ensured their support to the government.
In a meeting between PML-N and PPP leadership, which included PM Shehbaz and the former president Asif Ali Zardari, both the parties agreed to take steps to get the country’s economy out of crisis through mutual cooperation.
In a similar meeting with other allies, MQM-P had assured its full support to the government to take tough decisions yet the government is reluctant as it has no surety if it would not be pushed for snap polls right after it takes “unpopular economic decisions”.
The uncertain political situation coupled with former premier Imran’s planned rally and sit-in in the capital with the sole purpose of demanding a date for immediate elections has also been a factor causing a delay in the decision-making process.
The PML-N leadership, including PM Shehbaz, travelled all the way to London to seek guidance from party supremo Nawaz Sharif on the current political and economic situation. It has held back-to-back meetings with the government’s allies and got full support from them yet the lack of clarity about the total time in office has almost left the government paralysed.
Seeing the impasse, a renowned financial expert, Yousaf Nazar, even suggested that the government should `resign and let the establishment deal with the IMF. He feels the current chaos was likely to lead toward an interim setup which may last even beyond the period allowed under the Constitution and Supreme Court may even condone it.
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