PML-Q ministers ‘resign’ en masse

Expressing a lack of confidence in the Pakistan People’s Party-led coalition government, the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid ministers on Tuesday submitted their resignations to PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, but party insiders have dubbed the move a political tactic at a “ripe time” to press the government for accepting the party’s long-standing “charter of demands”.
The PML-Q ministers submitted their resignations to Shujaat after the party parliamentary meeting in which the lawmakers and ministers raised concerns over Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s “non-cooperative” attitude with PML-Q parliamentarians and ministers. A source in the party said that the PML-Q ministers and MNAs would also not attend National Assembly session today (Wednesday).
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Faisal Saleh Hayat said all PML-Q ministers, including Pervaiz Elahi, Wajahat Hussain, Riaz Pirzada, Ghous Bux Mehar and himself, had submitted their resignations to Shujaat. Addressing the parliamentary party meeting, Shujaat demanded the government to summon an All-Parties Conference on the energy crisis. “The government should review the PSDP to divert funds for resolving the energy crisis,” he said.
A central leader of the party said the government’s lack of interest in doing legislation for the deputy prime minister’s slot for Elahi, delay on part of the PM in releasing funds for PML-Q lawmakers, non-finalisation of seat adjustment formula between the two allies, PM’s imposition of ban on jobs in the federal government, no allocation of portfolios for two special assistants to the PM, PPP’s reluctance in launching offensive against the PML-N government in Punjab, sidelining of ‘Q’ ministers and advisers in Sindh by the provincial government, non-formation of commissions on Saraiki and Hazara provinces and the government’s failure in providing relief to Moonis Elahi were sources of contention between the two coalition partners.
Interestingly, the source said some of the PML-Q ministers and MNAs expressed reservations over Gilani’s comments that he might be working on the behest of Nawaz Sharif to spoil the PPP-PML-Q alliance by not honouring commitments made by PPP co-chairman President Asif Ali Zardari with the PML-Q. “Party MNAs were annoyed over the inordinate delay in release of development funds by the federal government despite the PPP leadership’s assurances to the PML-Q at the time of power-sharing deal in May,” the source said.
A PML-Q MNA present in the meeting said if the government did not materialise its commitments made with the Q-League, Shujaat could present resignations of ministers to the PM. Another PML-Q leader said the party had chosen the “ripe time” to pressurise the PPP for acceptance of PML-Q’s demands. “How can the president and PM neglect our charter of demand when it is already facing multiple challenges from within the country and outside,” he said.
The source said that party MNAs said in the meeting that the PML-Q’s central leaders’ meeting with Gilani last month had also not helped in getting the development funds released for PML-Q members. The source said the PML-Q MNAs told Shujaat that due to the delay in the release of funds, they would not be able to get the development projects completed before next elections and could face defeat in the next election.
Among other concerns, the PML-Q leaders criticised the government for its failure in allotting portfolios to two special assistants to the prime minister from the PML-Q, Ahmed Yar Hiraj and Qasim Ali Shah. “The delay has become a source of grave concern for both the leaders,” the source added.
ZARDARI CALLS SHUJAAT: Online reported that Zardari telephoned Shujaat and invited him for a meeting at the Presidency to end the PML-Q’s reservations.