Pakistan

PML-N works out initial coalition formula

If allies agree to Nawaz as PM, PPP to get presidency and NA speakership

Amir Khan February 11, 2024

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and politician Maryam Nawaz Sharif, his brother and former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, and former information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb gesture as they gather at the party office of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in Lahore on February 9, 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has worked out an initial power-sharing formula regarding the formation of the coming federal government, which would be discussed during the talks with the potential allies to cobble up a sustainable coalition.

According to PML-N sources, the initial formula stipulates that if the coalition parties agree to give the post of prime minister to the PML-N, then the post of president and speaker will be given to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Similarly, the post of deputy speaker can be given to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) or any of the independent members joining the coalition. Besides, the PML-N may keep the finance ministry, and other ministries will be distributed among allies with mutual consultation.

According to the formula, the sources, the decision regarding the nomination for the positions of Senate chairman and deputy chairman will be decided in consultation with the allies after the Senate elections.

“The PML-N has held consultation for a long time on this initial formula,” a source said. “It will be finalised in the meetings with the potential coalition partners. Changes can be made in accordance with the evolving political situation,” the source added.

The consultation on the formation of the coalition government is expected between Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Maulana Fazlur Rahman, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and others.

Another PML-N source said that the party leaders had met with the top leadership of the PPP, MQM-P, and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI). In these meetings, the source added, preliminary consultations were held on the formation of the coalition government.

Regarding this consultation, it is learned that the PML-N wants to keep the post of prime minister. And if the potential allies agree, the post may be given to PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif. But the allies wanted other name, Shahbaz Sharif will be the alternative candidate from the PML-N.

According to the sources, since the PPP has already nominated its Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as its candidate for premiership, it may not withdraw from its stance. However, they added that the PML-N can support Bilawal for the post of prime minister after consultation.

The sources said that if the PML-N gets the post of prime minister, then the distribution of other important positions, such as the posts of president, speaker, deputy speaker of the National Assembly as well as the coveted ministries, will be done through consultation.

The PML-N source said that the party was trying to establish a joint committee of all parties regarding the formation of a coalition government. The committee will hold the final consultation and recommend its suggestions for the government formation.

PPP sources said that party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-Chairman Asif Zardari will decide about joining the coalition government along with the PML-N and other parties in the light of the recommendations of their Central Executive Committee (CEC).

According to the PML-N sources, the party was in contact with a large number of recently-elected independent lawmakers. So far, four have joined the party, and more are expected to join. At present, the PPP is also trying to rope in some independent members into its fold.

PTI sources however, warned that if PML-N or the PPP tried to rope in their independent members, they would resort to use legal and constitutional options. The sources revealed that the PTI will also start political contacts for the formation of its government at the Centre.

MQM-P sources said that the decision to join the coalition government will be taken by the party’s coordination committee, while the JUI sources believed that party head Maulana Fazlur Rahman will consult the matters pertaining to joining coalition government with other party leaders.

For now, initial consultation on the government formation has been initiated and progress is expected soon, according to the sources. They added that the PML-Quaid will also be part of the future consultations, which is also trying to rope in some independents into its camp.