Pakistan People's Party sources said here on Wednesday that coalition partners in the provincial and Federal government are now thinking to change loyalties and part ways with Pakistan Muslim League (Q) before it is too late to do so.
Talking to Business Recorder on Wednesday, PPP leaders said that the immediate question is not whether the exiled leaders return to Pakistan before election but it is how to keep members glued to their respective political parties.
They said that PML (Q) would be the first to see desertions. Many would return to their original parties and many would wish to join the next 'favourite' to keep their political position in a gainful situation.
Sources said that except PML (F), which is a small group of people, the other parties have turncoats. These turncoats are a political reality and, for number sake, they would be welcome in any party.
They said that PPP was being approached for 'Mafi-Talafi' (forgiveness). "Those PPP members who changed their loyalties and joined treasury benches were coerced to do so. Bogus cases were framed against them; their electorates were harassed and their family members were threatened their lives," they said. They saved their lives and have survived to come back to their party.
PPP thinks that Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, who had once used abusive language against the wife of a sitting provincial minister from lower Sindh, was now trying to seek his support for his (Arbab) survival. This showed his weakness and the weakness of his party, which was surviving on borrowed time.
When contacted, Shazia Marri, information secretary provincial PPP, said that fair and transparent election were the only answer to prevailing political confusion. She said that the confusion would continue as long as elections were not held and a civilian government was not put in place.
She said that PPP had never supported extremists. It had a liberal approach where political dissent was appreciated and all decisions taken in a democratic manner were respected. PPP would not enter into any agreement with any party for political adjustment on the simple basis that the sitting government was to be opposed. "We are against exploitation of religion for political gains. We want fair elections and a civilian government where all government institutions do their jobs."
She said that the party was of the view that politics should be for the betterment of the people and not for creating confusion and anxiety. She said that the party was prepared to receive Benazir Bhutto whenever she would come back.
She said that the PPP would not put any restrictions on those who wished to join it. "There will be change of mind and many politicians would like to take fresh position near election. Repentance should be recognised in politics."
She reserved her comments on the ongoing meetings and contacts between the party chairperson and President Musharraf and said that speculations would not pay. "Let us think in terms of creating better understanding between 'like minded people', as this is the only way to move forward."