Tough preconditions set by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has delayed the formation of a broad-based national consensus government despite the fact that the PPP-PML-Q power-sharing deal has been finalised.
A well-placed source told Pakistan Today that PML-Q President Shujaat Hussain’s insistence for taking the MQM and JUI-F along in the government’s alliance had helped both parties press upon the government to meet all their conditions prior to the formation of the broad-based government. “The JUI-F has two major conditions for its return to the coalition – the first being Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s removal, and secondly the implementation of a unanimous resolution of parliament on national security,” a JUI-F leader told Pakistan Today.
He said the prime minister had insulted JUI leadership by removing Azam Swati from the cabinet without taking Fazlur Rehman into confidence while the party was also concerned about non-implementation of parliament’s resolution on national security. He said Shujaat had phoned Fazl twice in the past two days as Fazl was in Brussels. Meanwhile, the PML-Q leadership has also pressed the PPP government to clinch a deal with both parties as it would not join the government without the MQM and JUI-F.
When contacted, an MQM leader confirmed the delay, saying that the party had informed the treasury benches that its return to the cabinet was not so easy. “We have told the government in clear words that all commitments made by the government to us should be fulfilled prior to our joining the cabinet and no promises and commitments would be acceptable,” added the MQM central leader. Asked to elaborate on MQM’s conditions, the MQM leader said his party wanted a clear assurance of a cut in taxes in the upcoming budget.
“The PML-Q has finished its detailed discussions with the government and now they are only waiting for the MQM’s demands to be met. So the ball is in the PPP’s court and as soon as they take practical steps to reassure us on their sincerity, we will join them,” he added. He said President Zardari had tasked Rehman Malik to keep in constant contact with his party leadership. Another MQM leader said his party had some unspoken demands other than the nine-point agenda which included a dispute on the local government system in Sindh, efforts by the Sindh government to change Karachi’s demography for political motives and rise of targeted killings and extortion in Karachi by elements linked to the PPP and the ANP.
However, a source in the PPP said it was unlikely for the PPP to fire Gilani on demand put forth by the JUI-F. “It is an interesting bullying tactic by the PML-Q to ask us to meet all demands of the MQM and the JUI-F. We only wanted a deal with the PML-Q to get rid of the blackmailing by the MQM and the JUI-F. Now when we are ready to swallow a bitter pill by joining hands with the PML-Q, they are forcing us to implement demands of both these political blackmailers – something we wanted to do away with and for the purpose we wanted to shake hands with the Q leaguers,” he concluded.
