As Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif is looking to form the federal government alone, there are two available choices for the coming opposition in the Lower House of parliament, a friendly (PPP) or a real (PTI) opposition.
The mostly likely scenario is that the PPP with over 30 seats will attempt to lead the opposition in the National Assembly with assistance of their former allies Muttahida Qaumi Movement, independent MNAs and JUI-F.
After grabbing the status of opposition in the lower house, the PPP is likely to play the ‘friendly opposition’ role that it already experienced with the PML-N in the previous tenure.
The PML-N would also prefer the PPP to lead the NA opposition to face minimal issues, which would prove a great relief for Nawaz.
On the other hand, in case the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf – that emerged as a second largest political party in recent elections – is provided with a chance to be the opposition, it could prove a hard road for Nawaz.
With 32 seats at present, the number of PTI MNAs would rise after induction of reserved seats, whereas they also enjoy the support from Jamat-e-Islami, and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, while some independent candidates are also willing to join hands with Imran Khan.
The National People’s Party with two seats is also likely to support the second case, following which a real opposition could put the PML-N in real trouble in the National Assembly.
Pakistan Muslim League-Functional would never support the PPP and could sit with Imran Khan, however, having cordial ties with Nawaz, they could join the PML-N led government.
A number of big guns are in the race to lead the opposition in the National Assembly, including Syed Khurshid Shah, Imran Khan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Makhdoom Javed Hashmi.
