PPP sticks to party line on cabinet posts

Party wants office of president for Zardari instead

ISLAMABAD:

Following the latest round of inter-party discussions between the PML-N and PPP, it has become evident that the latter is not inclined towards participating in the forthcoming federal cabinet.

The uncertainty surrounding PPP's involvement emerged after Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairperson of PPP, hinted at the formation of a government by all parties, merely hours after his son and party chairman, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, rejected any ministerial roles but expressed a desire for the presidency for his father.

Although PPP delegates continue to endorse Bilawal's position, they have confirmed the party's lack of enthusiasm for cabinet positions. While talks initially revolved around key constitutional offices such as the presidency, Senate chairpersonship, and National Assembly speaker, they have since expanded to address broader, high-stakes issues.

However, specifics of these discussions remain confidential, as all participants have pledged not to disclose core matters deliberated during the meetings.

In line with this stance, a PPP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, reaffirmed the party’s disinterest in joining the cabinet, emphasizing that it is not even on the current agenda.

Despite this clarity, official statements issued after the meetings appear somewhat misleading, as they emphasize discussions on national issues such as inflation, unemployment, and poverty reduction, along with the formation of a stable government to address the country's challenges.

Regarding these statements, the PPP leader wryly remarked that the media should expect such releases to continue.
After the first round of talks, a statement read that both the parties had agreed that there was a need for a stable democratic government to deal with the challenges of economy, politics, security and terrorism.

Following the meeting on Thursday, an official statement from PPP read that Bilawal was briefed by the members of the party’s contact and coordination committee about the multilateral consultations among the political parties at Zardari House in Islamabad.

The members of the body included Qamar Zaman Kaira, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, Shuja Khan, Saeed Ghani, Nadeem Afzal Chan, and Bahadur Khan Sehar.
Earlier, the PPP committee had contacted the PML-N and a consultative meeting was then held between the bodies of the two parties.

“Proposals were discussed regarding inflation, unemployment and relief from poverty in the country,” read the statement.
The representatives of the PML-N from other provinces also participated in the second round of talks. Both sides said the matters would also be put forth before other like-minded political parties after which they would be finalised.
Just a week after the general elections, the much-desired political stability still seems to be a distant dream because of the split mandate.

Amid allegations that the polls were rigged, different political parties are busy contemplating what strategy should they adopt to move ahead.

On the one hand, the PML-N is striving to form the government in the Centre and Punjab with the support of the PPP, MQM-P and other smaller parties. On the other, the PTI, which contested the polls with independent candidates and bagged more seats than the PML-N, is busy persuading JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to launch a protest campaign against alleged polls rigging.

Another twist came on Tuesday when both the contenders for the premier’s position -- PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Bilawal -- opted out of the race.

The PML-N then nominated for the slot its president and Nawaz’s younger brother Shehbaz Sharif, who is busy persuading his previous allies to help him become the premier again.

The JUI-F chief refused to support the PML-N and even asked it to sit on the opposition benches. Now all eyes are on the PML-N and PPP committees and leaderships to see if the two parties stay together or not.