This divorce may see other parties like the MQM, ANP, JUI and even PML Q benefit at the expense of Nawaz Sharif.
PPP ready for PML-N divorce, plans to reward others
PPP ready for PML-N divorce, plans to reward others
Sunday, August 24, 2008
ISLAMABAD: As soon as the PML-N quits the coalition, three junior partners of the PPP, including Fata, the JUI and the ANP, will get a larger share in the federal cabinet while the fourth, the MQM, will join shortly after the presidential election.
The PPP will also significantly increase its representation in the cabinet.
A source told The News that the cabinet expansion would take place after the presidential election and the pronouncement of divorce between the PML-N and the PPP, which was now written on the wall.
He said that since PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari was very pleased with the uninhibited support of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to his candidature for the presidency and its stand on the question of the restoration of the deposed judges, it would be given a greater share in the federal cabinet.
MQM chief Altaf Hussain publicly recommended that Zardari should be the next president of Pakistan. The MQM has also announced that it would oppose the resolution on the judges’ restoration in the National Assembly.
All this came as music to Zardari’s ears, and he openly thanked Altaf Hussain for the support to his bid to be the president.
The source said that the Awami National Party (ANP) of Asfandyar Wali, which has 13 seats in the National Assembly and a few senators, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) of Maulana Fazlur Rehman which has five MNAs and over a dozen senators, and members of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) would get a larger representation in the cabinet.
According to the source, a couple of defectors from the PML-Q may also be inducted into the cabinet for deserting their party and supporting the government. He said Zardari had made up his mind that the ruling coalition would consist of only the PPP, the MQM, the ANP, the JUI and the tribal areas MPs.
The PPP co-chairman feels that all these parties form a comfortable majority in both the houses of parliament for his election as the president as well as for future legislation. Zardari, the source said, is of the view that such a coalition would last long as every element would have a vital stake in the government. All these alliance partners absolutely share Zardari’s opinion on the next president and the judges’ issue, he said, adding that was why the PPP co-chairman feels that there would be a remarkable harmony in the government.
At present, the ANP has two federal ministries while the JUI and Fata have one portfolio each. The JUI’s contention is that since it has a sizable numerical strength in the Senate, it should be proportionately given representation in the cabinet. Apart from these coalition partners, the source said, the PPP would induct a large number of its MPs into the cabinet. All the ministries lying vacant because of the PML-N nominees’ resignations would now be filled up.
