Media watch: Awan-Elahi meeting

Media analyses the recent meeting between Law Minister Babar Awan and PML-Q leader Chaudhary Pervez Elahi

Media watch is a daily round-up of key articles featured on news websites, hand-picked by The Express Tribune web staff.

Unlikely partners?

The strong reaction Monday`s contact has generated is based on the assumption that the PPP and PML-Q are close to forging a partnership. Nothing can be ruled out in politics, but it is difficult to see how Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi can shepherd the PML-Q as a whole into mingling with the PPP. A day after the meeting, Faisal Saleh Hayat, a former PPP member who is now a top PML-Q politician, spoke passionately against a partnership with the `corrupt` and troubled PPP government. (dawn.com)

PPP PML-Q hook-up

However, it would amount to debasing politics if two parties, which have been antagonistic to each other on serious issues, were to come together simply for the sake of either keeping a continued, unchallenged hold on power, as in the case of one (PPP); or entry into the corridors of power, as in the case of the other (PML-Q). (nation.com.pk)

Sleeping with the enemy

The political landscape in Pakistan is so complex that it is not unusual to see radical political shifts. The PPP’s olive branch to the PML-Q could be for a number of objectives. There could be apprehensions in PPP circles that the MQM may prove an unreliable ally again, which could arguably lead to an in-house change. As an insurance policy, the PPP now seems to be warming up to the PML-Q. (dailytimes.com.pk)

Shifting sands of politics

Though strong anti-PPP sentiments still reside in many a Muslim League heart, the unification as a viable challenge to the government, is still far from being a reality on the ground. No doubt, the Sharifs would like to get rid of their next door nemesis, Governor Salmaan Taseer, who in turn reportedly draws inspiration from President Zardari, but being rulers of more than fifty percent of Pakistan, Punjab, they know too well that a bird in hand is better than two in the bush. (brecorder.com)