The Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz finally cooked up a deal on Tuesday night to once again sew together a coalition government in the Centre – ending ten days of intense negotiations after an inconclusive national election failed to crown a clear winner.
The parties reached a consensus on splitting up the power pie, deciding on crucial positions including prime minister, president, governorships, and chairman Senate.
Under the power-sharing recipe, Shehbaz Sharif is set to assume the role of prime minister once again, while Asif Ali Zardari will reoccupy the presidential chair.
In addition, a PML-N leader confirmed that the PPP is slated to assume the roles of Senate chairman and Punjab governor, while the governors in both Sindh and Balochistan will belong to PML-N.
Following much uncertainty post-polls, top leaders from both major parties confirmed that they were once again joining forces to form the government “in the nation’s best interest” in their seventh meeting.
The agreement put the brakes on the days of political limbo, potentially resolving the deadlock in the wake of the Feb 8 elections that left the national assembly hanging in the balance.
The development came as despite consecutive meetings, the situation appeared to be slipping out of control when Bilawal, in a press briefing earlier in the day, clearly stated that PPP would cast its vote for PML-N's prime ministerial candidate on its own conditions.
However, by the end of the day, there was a surprising turn of events as Bilawal declared that the PPP would extend support to Shehbaz to become the premier before midnight.
Read more: Bilawal stands firmly by PPP's stance on govt formation
The official declaration that the PPP would cast their votes in favour of Shehbaz for his prime ministerial election, reciprocated by PML-N's support for PPP to secure Zardari as the resident, was announced during a late-night press conference at Zardari House in Islamabad.
Before this public announcement, both sides initially fine-tuned the details of the upcoming coalition government through their respective committees. The finalisation of the modalities took place at the residence of PML-N leader Ishaq Dar on Tuesday, with the top leadership of both parties in attendance.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari confirmed at the conference that former premier Shehbaz Sharif, who was seated beside him, would be the coalition's candidate for prime minister. He added that his father Asif Ali Zardari will be the alliance's candidate for the country's president.
لائیو: چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری، زرداری ہاوس اسلام آباد میں پریس کانفرنس کررہے ہیں۔ https://t.co/xAaBnKsUno
— Pakistan Peoples Party - PPP (@PPP_Org) February 20, 2024
Shehbaz Sharif said the two parties had the numbers to form a government and also had the support of other smaller parties. PML-N is the largest party with 79 seats and PPP is second with 54. They, along with four other smaller parties, have a comfortable majority in the legislature of 264 seats.
The delay in forming a government has caused concern as Pakistan is grappling with an economic crisis amid slow growth and record inflation, rising militant violence, and needs a stable administration with the authority to make tough decisions.
Bhutto Zardari said the parties would push to form a government as soon as possible. According to the country's constitution, a session of parliament has to be called by Feb 29 after which a vote for a new prime minister will take place.
"Pakistan Peoples Party and Muslim League Nawaz now possess the requisite numbers, placing us in a position to establish the forthcoming government," stated PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari during a press conference in Islamabad, accompanied by senior leaders from both parties.
پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کی سیکرٹری اطلاعات مریم اورنگزیب کا اہم بیان
— PMLN (@pmln_org) February 20, 2024
پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کے صدر اور نامزد وزیراعظم شہباز شریف سے پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کے چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کی ملاقات
ملاقات سینیٹر اسحاق ڈار کی رہائش گاہ پر ہوئی pic.twitter.com/rv7e8V8GXB
With no single political party securing a simple majority in the February 8 elections, alliances became necessary for the pursuit of governmental power. The delay in reaching an agreement had raised concerns.
While negotiations unfolded for government formation, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had formed an alliance with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) to secure the necessary numbers through reserved seats in the assemblies.
However, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari informed reporters that the SIC lacked sufficient numbers to lead the next central government. He revealed that Shehbaz would be the next prime minister, with Zardari as the joint presidential candidate for both parties.
Emphasising their commitment to resolving the ongoing crises, Bilawal expressed optimism about the ability of both parties to deliver results once in power.
Also read: PML-N choices for finance minister limited
Addressing a question about PML-N leader Ishaq Dar's nomination as Senate chairman, Bilawal explained that decisions were made during meetings and would be announced separately by each party. He highlighted the efficiency of past coalitions and decision-making processes compared to previous tenures.
PPP Co-chairman Zardari assured the public that their struggle aimed to benefit "you, Pakistan, and the coming generations." He underscored the consensus within the parties on the need to ensure Pakistan's success for future generations.
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