PPP, PML-Q look to deflect threats to democracy

Parties have a tacit understanding that PML-Q will support the governing party if power is threatened.


Irfan Ghauri November 02, 2010

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid have reached a tacit understanding that the latter will support the governing party if any move is made to dislodge it from power at the centre.

This cooperation is seen as deflecting threats to the PPP from various quarters, including one of its coalition partners in Sindh and the Centre.

Although both parties have been engaged in secret talks for some time, the two are now publicly engaged in a dialogue, with the PPP seeking cooperation from the Chaudhrys of Gujrat for the ‘smooth functioning of the system’.

“We will not become part of any move to dislodge the government. We want the PPP to complete its five-year tenure. This is our stated party stance,” a top PML-Q leader told The Express Tribune.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has been signalling, although not explicitly, about pulling itself out of an ‘uneasy’ alliance with the PPP.

The support from 25 MQM lawmakers in the National Assembly is vital for Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to maintain a simple majority in the lower house of parliament to remain in power.

Of late, some reports have suggested that Pakistan’s powerful security establishment allegedly wants to dislodge the PPP government and bring an in-house change. Through this move though, the PPP appears to be challenging its detractors.

Observers believe that this arrangement will serve the mutual interest of both parties.

They say it will shield the PPP against what an inner circle of close associates of President Asif Ali Zardari fears are ‘ugly conspiracies to dismantle democracy’.

“It will be a readymade backup in the store,” a PPP stalwart remarked when asked what the party would be getting out of an understanding with a potentially hostile group.

The PPP and the Chaudhrys of Gujrat, apart from these contacts, have a long history of fierce political rivalry.

It was Zardari who dubbed the PML-Q Qatil League or the League of Murderers at a press conference a few days after the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto.

The PML-Q, which is fighting an intense battle for survival in the face of daunting political challenges posed by rival Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has limited options to keep itself intact as a separate entity. It has already suffered major defections at the Centre and Punjab levels.

It is also likely that the PPP and PML-Q may collaborate in the local government elections, effectively giving the PML-N a tough time.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2010.

COMMENTS (2)

Sultan Ahmed. | 13 years ago | Reply There is no concept of local body election in the PPP's manifesto, what is the president said.
Sultan Ahmed. | 13 years ago | Reply What is being said, ppp manifesto is free from local body's election.
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