Of the two major allies of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) has decided to support the resolution tabled by Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan but the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is still undecided on whether or not to support the move.
Though the treasury benches had changed the draft of the resolution several times under pressure from the allied parties, yet the MQM is unclear about its decision. The ANP had presented the resolution in support of democracy and adherence to the principle of trichotomy to ensure balance between the three organs of the state. MQM spokesperson Wasay Jalil said the party would finalise its decision on the resolution by Sunday.
Parliamentarians from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) had also assured the government of their support, while the opposition parties were yet to decide their strategy. A PML-Q leader told Pakistan Today that his party would support the resolution on Monday, when voting would be conducted in the assembly. Later, PML-Q President Shujaat Hussain told a private television that his party was part of the government and that it would support the resolution. He said the temperature between the army and the government had lowered during the past few days. He said those who wanted a clash between institutions would be disappointed. Responding to a question, Shujaat said he had not met the army chief yet, but the matters would return to normalcy within a week.
