PML-N rules the roost
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was again elected National Assembly Speaker with thumping majority. There were however significant political realignments this time. The PPP which had withdrawn its candidate in June 2013 only at the eleventh hour decided to support Sadiq. Again, unlike 2013, the MQM did not put up a candidate against Sadiq. A FATA independent also withdrew from the contest after getting assurances for reforms in the tribal agencies. The PML-N nominee therefore faced only the PTI candidate who got 31 votes compared to his 268.
The PTI found itself badly isolated. Jamaat-e-Islami, PTI’s coalition partner in KP, supported Sadiq. So did the PML-Q which had sided with the PTI during the Islamabad sit-in last year. This indicates the inability on the part of Imran Khan to retain alliances.
The wide support received by the PML-N candidate was more due to peculiar circumstances than to anything else. The MQM which has driven itself into a tight corner needed government’s support to extricate itself. After trying all other options including an attempt to ally with Musharraf, the leadership of the already decimated PML-Q is sending feelers to the PML-N to find if there is a possibility of accommodation. While continuing to defy the PML-N on the provincial level, the PPP has developed a nuanced understanding with the federal government leading it to support PML-N’s candidate.
The performance of the NA under Nawaz Sharif has been lacklustre. The NA has moved on a snail’s pace to legislate on the much needed electoral reforms. This is yet another example of the lack of Nawaz Sharif’s interest in the Parliament’s legislative functions. The PM has generally ignored the Lower House except when under threat from the Islamabad sit-ins or when needing support on the Yemen policy or required by those who matter to get the changes in anti-terrorism laws and the 21st amendment passed. Whether he will be able give due importance to the House in the second half of his tenure remains an open question.