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Benazir wants PPPP to sit in opposition

By Khalid Hasan

WASHINGTON: The Pakistan People’s Party has decided that the wisest course to follow under the circumstances is to sit in the opposition, according to sources close to the party’s higher leadership.

The London-based sources, which are conversant with current thinking of party chairperson Benazir Bhutto, told Daily Times Monday that while some of the PPP winners in the October 10 election were of the opinion that the party should join a coalition because the new arrangements were likely to stay in place for the foreseeable future, and there was little point in staying out in the cold, the chairperson did not share that view. It was her judgment that if the PPP sat it out, the emerging coalition would be short lived, as it would remain fragile and lacking in homogeneity.

If a PPP-PML(Q) coalition, which is said to be the establishment’s dream scenario, does not come about, then the PML (Q) will have no option but to invite the MMA and some others to join. Since there is little that the two groups share, especially with regard to the ongoing US-led “war on terrorism,” it is unlikely that the arrangement will last very long, or even come about in the first place.

Both the army and the Bush administration would be extremely uneasy with the MMA not only running the two crucial provinces of NWFP and Balochistan, but also sharing power in Islamabad. In the event that the MMA, in case, it would demand important ministries such as foreign affairs and finance. It would refuse to be “consoled” with such powerless ministries as Auqaf and religious affairs, or science and technology.

There could also develop a situation of a political deadlock with neither group being in a position to form a government at the centre. In case that happens, either the present order will have to go or fresh elections may have to be held and carefully engineered so as to keep the “Mullahs” out.

Sindh setup without PPPP proposed

KARACHI: The provincial leaders of Pakistan Muslim League (QA) and National Alliance have joined hands to work towards the formation of a minus-PPP coalition government in Sindh. They have proposed a coalition government comprising Muttahida Qaumi Movement, PML (QA), NA, PML (Functional) and independents.

On the other hand, Pakistan People’s Party also has been making hectic efforts to form coalition government in Sindh. Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, provincial president of Pakistan People’s Party Sindh, and another senior leader, Qaim Ali Shah are holding talks with possible allies to form a coalition government, and for that PPP needs 15 MPAs in its tally of 51seats. Makhdoom Amin Fahim had earlier talked to Pir Pagaro of PML (F) and latter has reportedly agreed for having working relationship with Amin Fahim-led PPP (Parliamentarians). —Irfan Ali

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