The repeated efforts of the PML-N to create forward blocs in the PML-Q in parliament in order to scuttle the power-sharing negotiations between the PPP and the Chaudhrys have ended in fiasco, mainly due to egoistical approach of the PML-N senior leadership.
Background discussions and a number of interactions with the PML-Q parliamentarians revealed that the “arrogant approach” of PML-N’s central command was the main reason for failure of party’s efforts. Other reasons that stopped the “Q” lawmakers to form a pro-PML-N forward bloc were generous favours from Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to selected “Q” parliamentarians, no-reward for the Unification Bloc by the Punjab government, local dimensions of electoral politics, the threat of initiation of cases for past misdeeds by the Sindh government, tacit affiliations with former president Pervez Musharraf and hope to secure ministerial slots in the PPP-PML-Q power-sharing deal.
A source in the party said Ch Nisar Ali Khan, Khawaja Asif, Saad Rafique and some other heavyweights of the PML-N were in contact with some of the PML-Q parliamentarians, particularly old Muslim leaguers, and advised them to oppose the Chaudhrys move of making an alliance with the PPP, but their efforts were unlikely to produce results.
Generally, PML-Q MNAs believe that the arrogant approach and style of the PML-N top command is the cardinal cause that bars them from shaking hands with the Sharifs. “The Punjab government never facilitated us in the hour of need…..even our petty requests of transfers of junior government servants in our constituencies are not entertained, while on the other side, the PPP federal government and its ministers always try not to disappoint us,” a PML-Q MNA said, adding that the PML-N even did not reward members of the Unification Bloc, without whose support the Punjab government could not stay intact.
After being defeated in the 2008 election, a number of PML-Q parliamentarians pinned their future political interests on the PML-N and some top party lawmakers also held clandestine meetings with the Sharif Brothers, but their romance was killed by the PML-N hawks who announced the closure of PML-N doors on aides of former dictator Pervez Musharraf.
PML-Q lawmakers said it was the first shock to pro-PML-N Q parliamentarians.
Created in 2008, the PML-Q Likeminded was initially riding three boats: Some of its leaders like Hamid Nasir Chattha and Khurshid Kasuri were Musharraf’s loyalists, while others like Salim Saifullah and Humayon Akhtar Khan had set their eyes on the PML-N. Other members had affiliated themselves with the PPP from the first day and also vote for President Zardari in the presidential election.
But party sources said although Riaz Fatiana, Nauman Langrial, Talib Nakai, Sadiq Khan Baloch, Israr Tareen are part of the PML-Q Likeminded, they openly declare their loyalties for the PPP instead of the PML-N, contrary to the wishes of Salim Saifullah, Kashmala Tariq and Humayon Akhtar Khan.
The Hirrajs are also not interested in launching or leading a forward bloc, as Hamid Yar Hirraj, nephew of Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, has secured the slot of ERRA’s chairman from the PPP government, while Raza Hayat Hirraj quashed all his plans to join the PML-N when he faced severe bashing from Nisar Ali Khan and Captain (r) Safdar in the National Assembly a few months ago.
In the exchange of allegations from both sides, Captain (r) Safdar had told the House that Raza Hirraj had had secret meetings with Nawaz Sharif in London and had also cast vote for Saeeduz Zaman Siddique, PML-N’s presidential candidate, had taken a picture of the ballot paper by his cell phone to send to Hussain Nawaz to prove his allegiance with the PML-N.
Some sources in the party said if the Chaudhrys made any technical mishandling of the deal, a few party MNAs who had offers from the PML-N’s top command, like Sheikh Waqas Akram, could lead a dissident bloc that could badly damage the party in parliament.