PML-N, PPP fail to break logjam

 The fifth round of talks between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) ended without leading to a breakthrough on points of contention, leaving the formation of government at the Centre delayed for at least another day, it emerged on Tuesday.

The formation of a central government is hanging in the balance as the PML-N is delaying decision on the proposals forwarded by the PPPP.

The inter-party meetings between the two sides are being held to decide the terms and conditions of a possible alliance at the Centre.

So far, both sides have failed to reach any conclusion and the matter has now been delayed till Tuesday (today).

In talks, the PPPP has been demanding that the office of the president should be given to it along with the Senate chairman and National Assembly speaker seats.

In response, the PPPP while announcing that it will not take any portfolios will support the PML-N’s candidate for the premiership.

The PML-N, however, has not yet responded to the PPPP’s demands. However, it wants the PPPP to join the federal cabinet and take ownership of the decisions instead of just simply sitting on the treasury benches as silent spectators.

On Monday, both sides met behind closed doors and continued deliberating on pending issues for over three hours.

Both the sides are expected to meet again on Tuesday. The meeting, held at the residence of senior PML-N leader Senator Ishaq Dar at the Parliament Lodges in Islamabad, saw the participation of prominent figures from both the parties.

The PPP delegation comprised Murad Ali Shah, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Nadeem Afzal Chan and others.
Meanwhile, the PML-N leadership met with the leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) to seek their support for the formation of the federal government.

In a statement, the MQM-P spokesperson said that the party has sought a pledge from the PML-N on its three-point constitutional amendments to join the government.

The MQM-P’s three constitutional amendments deal with local government autonomy.

In its manifesto, the party has shared the draft of the bill as well. It stated that it is imperative that in order to instill a truly representative and participatory democracy quintessentially, the local governments at grass root levels, throughout the country, are to be empowered politically, financially, and administratively, so that the fruits of democracy are extended for the benefit of the populace.

In the meeting on Monday, discussions on other issues, including creating a common strategy to deal with the challenges being faced, were discussed. Various other issues focusing on how to get the people of Pakistan, especially Sindh, out of the mire of problems were deliberated upon.

Read more: PML-N, PPP fail to reach consensus on govt formation

The party statement said that it is the responsibility of all the parties to solve the problems faced by the country and to get out of the crises.

“Giving constitutional protection to the devolution of powers and resources at the grassroots level is the top priority of MQM Pakistan,” the spokesperson said.

He said that the leaders of both the parties agreed to continue talks and meetings regarding the government formation.

Following the PML-N and the MQM-P meeting, Sindh governor and MQM-P leader Kamran Tessori engaged in an informal dialogue with journalists, reiterating the parties’ unified stance in navigating the complexities of government formation.

Reportedly, Tessori affirmed, “We stand united in the challenging task of government formation. The MQM-P has assured full support, and we anticipate the issuance of an official declaration later today.”

Despite multiple rounds of talks, a decision regarding the PPP’s inclusion in the cabinet remained elusive. Optimism, however, persists within the PML-N circles, with sources expressing confidence that an agreement with the PPP will be reached soon.

Speaking informally to reporters after the meeting, PML-N leader Azam Nazir Tarar conveyed a positive trajectory in the ongoing discussions, asserting that talks with the PPP committee would resume the next morning.

He hinted at predetermined aspects concerning the PPPP’s integration into the federal cabinet.