PML-N wary of flying solo in govt spotlight

Kaira says constitutional positions are up for debate in committees

LAHORE:

Former planning minister Ahsan Iqbal has stressed the need for the PPP to jump on board the coalition government bandwagon and share the load as the PML-N does not want to be left holding the bag.

PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira, on the other hand, mentioned that the committee was currently discussing our proposal to allocate constitutional positions to PPP. The majority of decisions have already been made, leaving no room for further deliberation.

Against the backdrop of reports indicating that PML-N and PPP have been apprised of the consequences of shilly-shallying about government formation by the establishment, both sides seem reluctant to budge from their positions.

However, leaders from both sides appear optimistic about reaching an amicable resolution, asserting that there is no fundamental disagreement between the two parties.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Ahsan Iqbal, while reflecting on his party’s concern, said PML-N was reluctant to shoulder the entire burden of decision-making at the central government level.’Ahsan pinpointed that the crux of the matter in the coordination committee revolved around the shared responsibility dilemma, adding that they are not willing to let others merely be spectators on the treasury benches.

The PML-N wants the PPP to take the reins of ministries and actively participate in the governmental affairs, he added.

He further underscored that without the PPP's presence or a prior understanding of how to tackle the day-to-day affairs of the state, steering the government ship would be a daunting challenge through and through.

When pressed about whether the PML-N is having second thoughts about its decision to lead the government, Iqbal did not provide a clear answer and asked to wait for the outcome of the meeting.

He said will PPP want to lead in government if PML-N offered to switch sides with them which meant PMLN would get a constitutional position and the PPP would get the government.

However, when questioned about PPP leading the government independently with the same terms, he switched gears, arguing that it wouldn't make sense for the third-largest party to spearhead the country.

Furthermore, he asserted that the leadership mantle must be taken up by either PML-N or PTI-backed candidates, adding that the PTI's support lacks the numerical strength “so it was up to them to save this setup.Regarding why was PML-N bothered about what PTI was doing, and why was it concerned about PTI having the required number, he said PML-N could not let this system collapse.

When asked about whether the PML-N was prepared or hesitant to extend the offer for the speaker position, he responded that this would be a mutual decision based on determining the allocation of constitutional portfolios.

PPP’s ministries

Senior PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira clarified that the issue of PPP not accepting any ministries has been settled, with the focus now on constitutional positions and other related matters.

He vehemently refuted media reports suggesting that the PPP was demanding ministries in Punjab.

Kaira shared that the PPP has even declined an offer to hold the prime ministership for half the term, highlighting its commitment to sacrificing for the sake of democracy.

Responding to PML-N's concerns about PPP potentially abandoning them midstream, he pointed out that it was PML-N's decision to form their government and have their prime minister.

When asked if PPP's participation in the government was entirely ruled out and beyond the committee's purview, Kaira stated that the committee's discussions could not be disclosed to the public.

‘Pressure on PPP’

A PPP leader, speaking anonymously to The Express Tribune, acknowledged that the party was facing considerable pressure to agree to the proposed arrangement by PML-N.

The source expressed suspicions that PML-N might be leveraging its influence through the establishment to coerce PPP into joining the government.

Asserting PPP's resilience in the face of this pressure, the leader noted that the party is unlikely to back down in this high-stakes negotiation. He said that apart from the visible advantage of insulating itself from any potential fallout of a government’s decision-making, there was another advantage that might come PPP’s way and that was an offer to make their own prime minister.

He said that their leader might have said in public that they didn’t want the premiership, but if this opportunity presented itself, their leadership were unlikely to let it slide.