PML-N dragging feet on govt formation

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE:

The PML-N is apparently dragging its feet on forming a government in the center despite the alleged assurances by the PPP-P, the second largest party in the National Assembly, of unconditional support. However, the party has also not given any hint about a possible change of hearts with regard to leading the future coalition government at the federal level.

“We have offered the PML-N time and again to form a government in the Center but they are deliberately delaying it. I don’t understand why the PML-N is doing so,” said a PPP-P leader after the third meeting between the two parties held to decide terms and conditions of a possible alliance on Saturday.

Responding to speculations that the PPP-P was still demanding that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto should be made the prime minister, he said “such a thing has not been discussed at all in the meetings”. He said the PPP-P has even declined the PML-N’s offer to lead the government after two and a half years.

“We have been saying PML-N is the majority party in NA and it should form the government,” he said, adding “PPPP is still ready to give vote to the PML-N’s candidate for the PM’s slot.” Additionally, he reiterated that PPPP is not yet interested in becoming a part of the upcoming federal government.

He said the PML-N has yet to respond to the PPP-P’s other proposals, including its demand that the office of the president should be given to the PPP-P along with the office of Senate chairman and National Assembly speaker.

Another PPP-P leader confirmed that the PPP-P has not demanded a prime ministerial position for Bilawal, saying the party is sticking to its “principle position” and arguing on the points that Bilawal and PPP-P President Asif Ali Zardari have already shared in their recent press talks.

He, however, rejected the impression that the matter was being dragged on, stating that both the sides would consult with their leadership and meet on Monday again. “Things are expected to reach a conclusion by Monday.”

Both the PPP-P leaders refrained from sharing specifics, saying they were under oath. Several leaders of the PML-N were also approached for comments but no one was available.

Meanwhile, a joint declaration issued after the coordination committees of both parties met in Islamabad stated that detailed discussions took place regarding government formation.

It added that significant progress was made on various issues; however, the two sides decided to sit again on Monday to finalize matters.

“The proposals put forth by both parties were thoroughly discussed, and while substantial progress was achieved, further deliberations are required to finalize the matters at hand,” the joint statement read.

Emphasizing the importance of a robust democratic government for Pakistan’s stability, the committee members concurred on the necessity of reaching a consensus.

Two other PPP-P leaders who are part of the coordination committee formed to work out power sharing modalities revealed the PML-N has made no mention of its concerns, if any, against formation of a coalition government.

The PML-N, whose senior leaders’ recent statements suggest that the party was having second thoughts about forming a coalition government, was still working out modalities with the PPP-P on how to smoothly run the assembly business, and on how to reconcile differences over handling government affairs between the two parties, if and when they arise.

This blowing hot and cold by PML-N seems to be an attempt by its leadership to keep the option open to withdraw from this arrangement in a dignified manner if needed. However, thus far it seems that Shehbaz led PML-N is in no mood to give up on its aspirations of forming a federal government.

According to a statement issued by the party, the committee has agreed that a strong democratic government guarantees a stable Pakistan. It said that both sides to give matters a final shape have sought more suggestions that will be deliberated upon on Monday.

Some PML-N leaders said the party is not ready to get blackmailed on agreeing to any unconstitutional demand, which is why it is not interested in forming a government.

A day back all media houses had reported that the party leaders in a meeting presided over by Nawaz Sharif loudly advocated against forming a coalition government in the center and laid emphasis on focusing solely on Punjab.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Sardar Bahadur Khan, who is part of the PPP-P’s talks committee, said his party has in principle agreed to support the PML-N, and the PML-N is very much interested in forming its government.  Nothing has been said to indicate otherwise, he added.

He denied the impression that the PPP wants any ministries in Punjab. He said the PPP indeed wants its political interests in the province to be guarded but is not asking for any ministries.

Regarding senate seats, he said given that they would expect the PML-N to support them to get some Senate seats, that as per numbers they are entitled to.

When asked what positions the PPP-P was asking for, he said that the party wanted constitutional portfolios—the positions of the president, the Senate chairman, the National Assembly speaker. Governorship would be decided with mutual consent, he added.

He said there was no disagreement between the two sides. “The PPP-P will support the PML-N on all important matters including budget, as has already been said by Chairman Bilawal.”

Qamar Zaman Kaira, another member of the PPP delegation, said the media was being a bit over anxious regarding formation of a government, which, he said, will be formed on its own time.

Regarding the PML-N having given any indication to suggest they were not interested in taking the government, he also said that PML-N has given no such hint.

He said the PML-N has the PPP-P’s unconditional support so these meetings are not being held to determine any power sharing formula. “The PPP has already stated that it will not be part of the federal government. The PPP’s support for PMLN is to ensure democratic process in Pakistan does not derail.”

A PPP leader said if the PML-N was not interested in forming a government, as some of its leaders have suggested then it should request the PPP-P to take the lead. He said the PPP-P has the potential and the capability to steer the country out of all the crises.

He said if it gets the chance, the PPP-P will seize this opportunity as it knows that it can reach out to independent candidates for smooth function of assembly business.

“The PML-N only have us to bank on, whereas the PPP would have not only the PML-N but also the PTI backed candidates to reach out to. So we would be in a much more comfortable position. If this happens, the PPP will offer the presidency to the PML-N.”

PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal and Ayaz Sadiq were approached for the comments but were not available.