The power-sharing talks between the PPP and the PML(Q) are suggestive that a fundamental change is underway in the political landscape of the country. The two parties, earlier referred to as each others nemesis, are now believed to have entered the final stage of negotiations and the PML(Q) is likely to get six to eight slots in the federal cabinet in the second phase of its expansion. It may also include the portfolio of a senior minister.
There are also reports indicating that leaders of both parties are engaged in consultations to work out modalities for a long-term cooperation. That the PML(Q) still has a sizeable number of prospective winners in almost all provinces explains the PPPs keenness to form an electoral alliance with it much ahead of the next general election. The federal government is reportedly prepared to allocate the ministries related to economy, finance and planning to the PML(Q) in exchange for the latters support for the proposed economic reforms plan, including the Reformed General Sales Tax, which could not be implemented because of strong opposition from its allies and rivals. The confrontation over the issue led to the MQM withdrawing its support from the coalition at the centre while the PML(N), already in the opposition, expelled the PPP from Punjab coalition for this and other reasons. The PPP leadership has always shown patience in dealing with its partners but it cannot obviously tolerate the political manipulations in the ongoing housing census in Sindh which are clearly aimed at changing the ethnic balance of the province.
The constant bickering and blackmailing of the MQM as well as the PML(N)s ambivalence about continuing its support to the federal government might have pushed the PPP into embracing the PML(Q) at a time when it fears losing its majority in the Parliament. It is, however, too early to predict whether the PPP would be able to draw any political mileage from the new realignment with its estranged partners feeling marginalised.
