PESHAWAR: Amidst growing political polarisation and confrontation amongst the government and opposition, there is no any visible threat to the future of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Neither KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak is looking to dissolve the assembly nor is the scattered opposition in a position of moving a resolution of no-trust against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led coalition government.
However, in the wake of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal revival, the JI leaders have declared quitting the coalition shortly, but they didn’t announce a schedule in this regard. The JI leaders are still unclear about the fate of its PTI partner’s government. Some of the JI leaders, including party chief Sirajul Haq, assured of opposing any move for the toppling of Pervez Khattak government, but party’s provincial chief Mushtaq Ahmad Khan hinted of supporting a resolution of no-trust, if moved by the opposition parties in KP.
Since alleviating Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan as KP governor in April 2014, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl’s Maulana Lutafur Rahman is the occupant of opposition leader’s office in the province. But during this period, he has proven himself to be an opposition-friendly leader, despite hostile relations between his elder brother Maulana Fazalur Rahman and PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
It is because of this very reason Pervez Khattak and his cabinet has kept sailing smoothly on each and every issue.
Moreover, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is also reluctant to give tough time to PTI government in KP, as PML-N has the strength of 16 MPAs, whereas JUI-F has 15.
Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) of Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao is in the fourth position in the house of 124 with 10 MPAs, but its leadership’s interests in ministerial offices have badly affected unity and understanding amongst its ranks. The QWP was first removed from a coalition government on the charges of corruption in November 2014 and re-inducted in October 2015. Some of QWP’s MPAs have shown an inclination to switch over to PTI.
No one could deny that despite its meagre presence and existence, both Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Awami National Party (ANP) are capable of giving tough time to PTI government, but its leaders have always lacked support of the biggest opposition parties like PML-N and JUI-F.
The PPP has only six and ANP has five MPAs in the house of 124. Both the parties have vocal parliamentarians, who are always highlighting anomalies and shortfalls on the part of PTI government in assembly debates. But due to lacking a required strength for requisitioning an assembly session, they are always depending on the wishes and strategies of PML-N and JUI-F.
The PTI has the strength of 62 MPAs. After detachment of JI from the coalition, the PTI could face hardship in the survival of its government. But CM Khattak, in the light of his over two decades long association with Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, has made dints and cracks amongst the ranks of other parties, especially opposition parties.
So far, PML-N’s Wajeh Ul Zaman is on treasury benches from last three years; however, he publically joined JUI-F’s Fazal Shakoor from Charsada. QWP’s Sultan Muhammad Khan from Charsada has also portrayed himself as a PTI supporter and companion of the chief minister. Besides these three, a number of others from different opposition parties are on good terms with Pervez Khattak and eying on retaining seats through PTI tickets.
In the light of existing position of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there are no threats to future of Pervez Khattak government. Exploiting opposition rifts and divisions, Khattak is also mustering the support of popular and influential political figures throughout the province.
