Pakistan: PPP split on whether to join a coalition govt or sit on Opposition benches

Karachi, Feb 13 (PTI) The Bilawal Bhutto-led Pakistan Peoples Party which won the third largest number of seats in the National Assembly in the elections appears to be split on whether to join a coalition government or sit on Opposition benches.

The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the PPP which met in Islamabad to deliberate on the post-poll scenario and proposals regarding the coalition government has decided to reach out to all political parties, including the PTI-backed independents, for a possible power-sharing deal.

Addressing a press conference after the CEC meeting on Monday night, Senator Sherry Rehman said, “The PPP will approach all (political) parties, and a committee will be set up.” The committee will be formed on Tuesday, while the CEC meeting which ended without reaching any final decision will also resume at 3 pm.

A highly reliable source within the party said this was the main reason for the party’s central executive committee which met on Monday. They failed to reach a final decision on whether to form a coalition government with the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif led Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) or sit on Opposition benches with the independents elected on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) tickets.

“The PML-N is pressurising Asif Zardari to agree to power-sharing where sharing the prime minister’s post has also been discussed,” the source said.

“The negotiations have centred around Shehbaz Sharif remaining prime minister for half of the elected term and then Bilawal replacing him as leader of the House in Parliament,” he added.

The source confirmed there were still differences remaining over who would be nominated for key ministerial positions like foreign minister, home minister, finance minister and also the chief minister of Pakistan’s largest province, Punjab.

But the source confided that Bilawal, the 35-year-old former foreign minister, and some of his like-minded supporters on the Central Executive Committee CEC of the PPP are not in favour of aligning with the PML-N as they point out that they are serious doubts over whether Nawaz Sharif, his brother Shahbaz Sharif and daughter, Maryam Nawaz did even win genuinely from their constituencies or were given a mandate by the establishment.

“Bilawal has said the PML-N is presently lacking credibility in the eyes of the people who surprised everyone by voting in favour of the PTI independents in many constituencies and he believes it is better to sit on Opposition benches and give a tough time to whichever coalition government takes power,” the source said.

The source said Bilawal was not in favour of sharing the prime minister’s position or the key ministerial posts.

“There is yet to be consensus to be developed in the PPP on their next line of action even though Asif Zardari is carrying on his talks with the PML-N and some other parties,” the source said. PTI

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