During the budget speech in the National Assembly on Saturday, Humayun Akhtar remained busy in hugging and shaking hands with various treasury members, which is seen as an 'indication of possible change at the Centre'.
This, he is doing since the budget session started this week. He prefers to find some space in the back rows, chatting with members, taking no interest in the House business. He seems too serious in meeting with the members of ruling party and allies.
These days, he least behaves like a minister; appears to be on a 'mission', which is described by some lawmakers as a bid to garner maximum support to prove himself as a suitable replacement for Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali.
However, it has been noticed during the proceedings that he deliberately avoids encounter with Jamali and ministers.
During the budget speech by Finance Minister, he was seen discussing some points with MQM and then Patriots legislators.
On the other hand, for the second consecutive day, Prime Minister was in the House along with PML chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
Though, neither the government nor opposition divulged details of a ten-minute serious discussion between Premier Jamali, Shujaat and Makhdoom Amin, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Qazi Hussain Ahmed.
It is believed that the on-going political situation was touched upon. Before that, Jamali and Shujaat shared views at the Parliament House.
This discussion could be seen in the context of some indications that Prime Minister Jamali was to be sent home immediately after the budget. Though, Jamali and Shujaat have denied any possibility of an in-house change.
Rumour mills are working over time these days. A section of the analysts says that it is a matter of days, when new face, most probably Humayun Akhtar will take oath as premier, for which he is busy in holding meetings in and outside the Parliament.
MMA's MNA from Rawalpindi, Hanif Abbasi displayed audio cassette to the Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain on the opening day of the budget session, claiming Information Minister had said that Premier Jamali's exit was a matter of days in off-the-record chat with newsmen recently.
This has added to uncertainty about Jamali's future. He met President Musharraf on Friday, but according to sources, it was unclear whether or not a signal was given to him to continue as premier.
On his part, Prime Minister Jamali finds it more comfortable to go to the opposition benches and share views with leading opposition members. He has already stepped up contacts with the Chaudhrys of Gujrat, smelling something might be cooking up against him.
Sources close to him told Business Recorder that the Baloch Sardar was so far adamant on not resigning, come what may. It is for this reason, they added, he was mixing with the opposition to win their backing in case a need arises sooner or later.
These sources added that if pushed further, Jamali has made up his mind to advise the President to dissolve the assemblies. The opposition has so far verbally assured their support to him, opposing any move to pack up the Parliament.
Analysts believed that the situation would not remain as such for more than a couple of weeks.
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