Changing landscape?: PPP faces dilemma with coalition partners in Gilgit-Baltistan
Party sources claim workers pressuring leadership to replace coalition partners with PPP leaders.
“Pressure from within the party is mounting on the PPP leadership to relieve the coalition partners,” said G-B Minister for Local Bodies Mohammad Ismail. PHOTO: FILE
GILGIT:
In the aftermath of the May 11 elections and the emergence of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as the largest party at the centre, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is in a fix whether to retain its coalition partners in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B).
Current PPP coalition partners include the JUI-F, PML-Q and Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
PPP loyalists are advising G-B Chief Minister Mehdi Shah to give opportunities to his party leaders instead of coalition partners for the remaining one and half year of the current government’s term.
If the PPP decides to continue partnering with the existing coalition, it is bound to face criticism from party workers. But if the PPP decides to end the coalition, its former allies will end up sitting on the opposition benches. A tough opposition such as this can further test the party’s credibility, which has already been marred by allegations of corruption, misrule and nepotism. Recently, G-B Assembly Speaker Wazir Baig demanded an inquiry into the alleged corruption scams within his own government.
“Pressure from within the party is mounting on the PPP leadership to relieve the coalition partners,” said G-B Minister for Local Bodies Mohammad Ismail. “The PPP’s leadership will decide in the end, but we respect the views of party jiyalas,” he added.
Coalition parties seem to have realised the threat, but are adamant the partnership remains strong.
“Our alliance is indispensible for the PPP’s strength in G-B,” said Rahmat Khaliq, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) lawmaker from Diamer Valley. “If we part ways, the PML-N will benefit.”
Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) senior leadership in the region expressed similar views. “We want to extend a helping hand to the PPP. Those making claims against us are agents of the PML-N,” said the party’s MPA from Nagar Valley, Mirza Hussain.
The opposition constitutes two lawmakers from the PML-N and a nationalist MPA, Nawaz Khan Naji.
Regardless of whether the PPP sustains its partnership, the PML-N’s regional leaders have hinted at replacing G-B Governor Pir Karam Ali Shah with one of their own stalwarts.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2013.
In the aftermath of the May 11 elections and the emergence of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as the largest party at the centre, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is in a fix whether to retain its coalition partners in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B).
Current PPP coalition partners include the JUI-F, PML-Q and Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
PPP loyalists are advising G-B Chief Minister Mehdi Shah to give opportunities to his party leaders instead of coalition partners for the remaining one and half year of the current government’s term.
If the PPP decides to continue partnering with the existing coalition, it is bound to face criticism from party workers. But if the PPP decides to end the coalition, its former allies will end up sitting on the opposition benches. A tough opposition such as this can further test the party’s credibility, which has already been marred by allegations of corruption, misrule and nepotism. Recently, G-B Assembly Speaker Wazir Baig demanded an inquiry into the alleged corruption scams within his own government.
“Pressure from within the party is mounting on the PPP leadership to relieve the coalition partners,” said G-B Minister for Local Bodies Mohammad Ismail. “The PPP’s leadership will decide in the end, but we respect the views of party jiyalas,” he added.
Coalition parties seem to have realised the threat, but are adamant the partnership remains strong.
“Our alliance is indispensible for the PPP’s strength in G-B,” said Rahmat Khaliq, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) lawmaker from Diamer Valley. “If we part ways, the PML-N will benefit.”
Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) senior leadership in the region expressed similar views. “We want to extend a helping hand to the PPP. Those making claims against us are agents of the PML-N,” said the party’s MPA from Nagar Valley, Mirza Hussain.
The opposition constitutes two lawmakers from the PML-N and a nationalist MPA, Nawaz Khan Naji.
Regardless of whether the PPP sustains its partnership, the PML-N’s regional leaders have hinted at replacing G-B Governor Pir Karam Ali Shah with one of their own stalwarts.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2013.