Within days before or after the 2005-06 budget, things may take a surprise turn, leading to key changes in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, which may be unexpected for many but not for others. It may be remembered that last year the budget had seen Zafarullah Jamali bowing out unceremoniously, followed by Shujaat Husain. Similarly, it is being widely speculated that the coming budget would also be an important political spinner. The fresh 'row' between Shujaat and Jamali appears to be a prelude to that scenario, shaping up behind the scenes, according to some PML sources.
Some key changes in the party's hierarchy are on the cards immediately after the budget. One of these may be that PML chief is asked to go home--on health grounds--making way for someone else. "Farooq Leghari, Hamid Nasir Chattha, Jamali, or even Pir Pagara, may replace him." Another long shot, currently being debated in the corridors of power, is that, in place of Shujaat, Shahbaz Sharif may be made PML head, paving the way for PML (F) to become part of it.
Pagara had declined outright to merge his party with the ruling PML under Shujaat last year, and even the President House could not succeed in convincing him.
The 'charge-sheet' against the 'Chaudhry of Gujrat', according to sources, is ready. It includes that he is too docile to lead the party any more, and take along the League factions and the erstwhile 'National Alliance', which were merged with the PML. "It is mainly because of divisions in the party ranks that the President House is leaning towards Pakistan People's Party and contours of a deal are being discussed for the last three months or so."
"All party affairs," conceded an additional secretary general of PML, "were in the hands of Shujaat, and there was nothing like a democratic party. The Central Executive Committee and General Council were almost non-existent and, as party head, Shujaat is squarely blamed for the state of affairs."
Salim Saifullah was daring enough to openly criticise the party leadership during a news conference on Monday, for the prevailing despondency in its rank and file.
Insiders say that there was a fast growing feeling that Shujaat was hardly fit to handle party matters, mainly owing to his depleting health, as in the past 12 months he spent at least two or three months abroad for treatment. Again, in Islamabad or Gujrat, he confines himself to drawing room, irking the party.
The ruling party's Sindh and NWFP chapters are also almost non-functional and Sindh PML's working has been plagued by a tenuous row between Chief Minister Arbab Rahim and ex-provincial minister Imtiaz Sheikh, for which Shujaat is being held responsible.
Shujaat has practically failed to ensure quorum in the National Assembly, sans the opposition. Federal and state ministers, and even parliamentary secretaries, 'grace' the House in discouraging numbers each day, causing embarrassment to PML leadership.
His desperate offers that the lawmakers attending the House regularly would be accommodated during foreign tours and that they would get more allocations for their respective constituencies have fallen on deaf ears.
PML Information Secretary and State Minister Tariq Azeem denied any rift in the party. However, he conceded that some members felt, as is evident from their reported statements, that it could be better run.
He told Business Recorder that all party leaders have full confidence in Shujaat, and they want to him take the party forward.
To discuss the party affairs with particular reference to Shujaat, PML senior leaders will meet on May 13. The rendezvous is believed to be crucial and it can be a cliff-hanger for Shujaat.
The meeting may issue a last warning to PML leader to invigorate the party and take all along like any democratic body, sources said.