ISLAMABAD – The MQM’s withdrawal from the coalition has put the PML-N in a catch 22 situation, while PML-Q’s role has become critical in the emerging political scenario. Although power-sharing parleys between the PPP and the PML-Q are on for the last many months, the two parties have so far failed to finalise the modalities of a formal deal.
A source in the PML-Q said the Chaudhrys were double minded over whether to join the PPP-led coalition government. He said party leaders and lawmakers were also divided over a potential power-sharing deal with the PPP. “Some parliamentarians think it would benefit the party, as MPs could launch major developments works in their constituencies to up their chances in the next election, while others opine that joining an unpopular ruling party would damage the PML-Q’s image in the media and among the masses,” he added.
Another PML-Q central leader said there was immense pressure on the Chaudhrys to go with the PPP, as they needed to save the skin of Moonis Elahi in the NICL scam, for which the PPP government had already started tightening the noose around him. “The Chaudhrys will now save the PPP government not for the party’s interests, but for their own,” he added.
“A few weeks back, the Chaudhrys wanted to have a crucial position in the federal government in exchange for the PML-Q’s support, but the PPP central command implicated Moonis in the NICL scam through the FIA to cut the Chaudhrys to size and strike a deal on the PPP’s terms,” he said.
He said FIA raid at Moonis’ office was a calculated move to highlight the government’s “stick and carrot policy”.
Another PML-Q member said his party could also support the PPP government without formally joining it. “In this case, the party wants to avoid the media’s and public’s wrath, it will not support the no-confidence move against the prime minister and will stay away from joining the coalition. In exchange, the PPP will let Moonis off the hook and the prime minister will give generous development funds to party MNAs,” he added.
“The final decisions in this regard will be made in a meeting scheduled on today (Monday) in Lahore,” he said.
