Army on board in recent political manoeuvring

NEWSANALYSIS – The top brass of the army is taking keen interest and seems to be fully in the loop, if not behind, the recent political manoeuvres being made on the political chessboard. Highly-placed sources disclosed that both the Chaudhrys, Shujaat and Pervaiz Elahi, held a meeting with senior army official soon after their much-publicised meeting with President Zardari. Though the Chaudhrys denied any such meeting, their camp, which has come alive after recent developments, confirmed that the meeting took place in Rawalpindi.
However, the PML-Q leaders in the knowledge of things are not ready to reveal anything more about the meeting. They are not even sure whether the army expressed its support or disapproval of the idea of political cooperation between the PPP and PML-Q in the meeting. Sources in PML-Q privy to the meeting believe that the army seems to be supportive to recent political manoeuvres, especially the unfolding political cooperation between the two political parties.
In another interesting political move, PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain also played his role in bringing the PPP and MQM leaders back on the negotiating table, patching up their differences. The PML-Q leaders were pretty much confident that the MQM would not leave the PPP even before Shujaat starting pulling the strings and talked to Altaf Hussain.
Interestingly, the result that came out of the late night parleys between the PPP and MQM leaders was the same as predicted by the Chaudhrys’ camp. The PML-Q leaders were hopeful that with their party putting its weight behind Asif Zardari, or the PPP, it would be difficult for the MQMJ to put an extra bit of pressure or blackmail the ruling PPP now, while their engagement with both the PPP and MQM will lead to the resolution of genuine grievances of the MQM, which would bring stability to the present system.
The PPP and PML-Q leaders who talked to Pakistan Today are not sure of the endgame behind these political moves. For example, they are not sure if these are adjustments political forces are making for the next parliamentary elections or preparation for something more urgent in nature on its way in Pakistan.
These leaders do not see early elections in Pakistan, nor do they foresee any urgency among the powers that be to see the back of President Zardari or PPP-led set up being sent packing.
They have no idea what the PML-Q is aiming at in this changing political scenario. Already, the PML-Q leadership has turned down the offer of joining the federal cabinet. Their leaders claim that there is no fun to be in the cabinet without having any initiative in the decision-making process of the country. But they are sure this much that the PML-Q and PPP along with the MQM and other allies would be partners and allies in the next elections, probably against the front led by the PML-N.
But at the same time, they find political forces active once again, getting their acts together. At the same time, they find President Asif Ali Zardari once again sitting pretty with the new political moves serving as a timely breather for him and that major stakeholders in the country’s politics are ready to play ball with him. More importantly, something is binding together President Zardari, the army, the PML-Q and other like-minded entities. But on the other hand, in recent developments, whether it is meeting or meetings between the Chaudhrys and President Zardari or efforts for patch-up between the PPP and MQM, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani figured nowhere. It seems President Zardari is more in control of things right now, directly negotiating with the political allies and future partners, and in the process making major decisions.
He is also the one giving guidelines to financial managers with an aim to ease the present financial predicament of the government, with Gilani taking a back seat.
Political leaders watching these developments are trying to put together various pieces of the jigsaw puzzle if they have any immediate relevance other than election-specific positioning on the part of the political parties.