Fresh threats: PML-Q tells MPAs not to take on new ministries doled out by PPP

PPP accused of trying to turn its leaders in Sindh.

KARACHI: The controversy over the reallocation of portfolios between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) took a new turn on Monday when the latter told its MPAs not to take charge of the new ministries allocated to them last week.

The PML-Q is angry with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) that first gave them the ministries when the MQM left and then took them back when the MQM returned. It was cold comfort when the PML-Q was offered other portfolios.

And now, the PML-Q has convened a Sindh council meeting on December 18 to reconsider its alliance with the PPP,  posing fresh threats to an already fragile Sindh coalition.

The PML-Q’s grievance is not limited to the issue of ministerial portfolios where the PPP is backtracking on its earlier commitments. They are alarmed over the PPP’s political manoeuvring while trying to woo the PML-Q leaders.

“It is really an alarming situation for us. We have suffered politically by making an alliance with the government and cannot further tolerate this kind of PPP approach,” said Haleem Adil Shaikh, who is the PML-Q general secretary for Sindh. He was referring to a meeting between PML-Q leader Altaf Unar and the PPP’s Agha Siraj Durrani a few days ago in Larkana.

Referring to the agreement between the PPP and PML-Q in April this year, he said, “It was decided that neither party would indulge in the politics of horse-trading; but it appears that the PPP has started violating the deal.”

According to the deal, the PPP government was bound to share with the PML-Q ministries, government jobs and development schemes. “We supported the government on different issues, but in return got nothing. Instead the PPP is forcing our party leaders to join them,” he said. Altaf Unar, who belongs to Larkana district, is known for his rivalry with the PPP. He served as minister in the cabinet of Arbab Ghulam Rahim. Soon after the PPP government came to power in 2008, Unar was arrested on charges of attacking on President Asif Ali Zardari’s sister and PPP MNA Azra Pacheho.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Unar confirmed that some PPP leaders had approached him, but he has not yet made any decision about his future. “I do not further want to comment on it and will soon brief the media about it,” he said.

But sources said that the leadership of the PML-N and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf have also approached Unar who has started consulting friends and family.

Irked by the latest PPP initiatives, which political observers see as pre-election manoeuvring, Haleem Adil Shakih called it “nothing but the politics of blackmailing.” He said that PPP leaders have started threatening their party leaders and workers, asking them either to join or face the consequences.

The party’s general secretary, Mushahid Hussain, has told them not to go to their new offices till the return of Chaudhry Shujaat today (Tuesday). They are likely to discuss the matter with him on Wednesday.

For whatever it is worth, Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomro said that they are tying to adjust PML-Q members in the Sindh cabinet. “The PPP does not believe in the politics of horse-trading and no one should doubt it. The PML-Q is our partner and we will soon resolve the matter,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2011.