The government has become growingly isolated in the National Assembly for taking politically reckless decisions unacceptable to the coalition partners especially at the time when elections are approaching.
Wednesday was an appallingly disappointing day for the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in the National Assembly as no one was able to defend the decision of increase in petroleum products' prices against the mounting criticism by the friends and foes who challenged to bring a resolution against it. As the proceedings started, coalition partner, Muttahida Qaumi Movement first raised its voice against the decision and staged a walk out alleging the government for breaking the promise of taking coalition partners into confidence before making the decision. Pakistan Muslim League-Q and Awami National Party has not challenged the government by going to the extreme, staging a walkout, but explicitly conveyed their displeasure in their speeches. And message was very loud and clear for the government that no one was ready to lend its support on the decision seen by most of them as a threat to their politics, as was expressed by Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Talib Hussain Nakai. Nakai, who is also chairman of NA's standing committee on petroleum, said the government must have thought before taking the decision, with what face the coalition partners would go to the voters after such a 'brutal decision.' This episode was a reflection that the government was taking all the decision without due consultation with the coalition partners and was taking critical decisions of public importance with the advice of a few. The history of the present government is replete with back tracking from the decisions and all the indication suggest that the same may also happen in the case of petroleum products' prices hike as opposition and coalition partners seems to be in full mood of challenging the ruling PPP in the Parliament by bringing a resolution against the increase in prices. Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Dr Asim Hussain at one point lost his temper while responding to a call attention notice on non-exploration of gas reserves in the country but uttered not a single word in defence of the decision to increase oil prices, as the criticism descended on the government from all the corners. Meanwhile, Ashan Iqbal who led the assault on the government from opposition benches and appealed to the coalition partners to support the resolution against increase in prices was seen drafting a resolution and moving from one bench to another ostensibly getting the resolution signed. And was seen doing well on coalition partners and some members of ruling party as all this was helplessly watched by the Ministers as well as presiding officer, Faisal Karim Kundi, from the top. Sensing the sensitivity of the situation as it was clearly indicating that the government would face humiliation on the issue, if the opposition was allowed to move the resolution, the man who came to rescue the government was non other than Deputy Speaking himself by denying the opportunity to Ashan Iqbal, first giving opportunity to other members for speaking on the point of order and subsequently adjourning the proceeding of the House till Thursday. The move was understandably designed to buy some time and opportunity for the government not only to recover from the sudden and unexpected setback but also enable it to approach the ruling coalition to strike some kind of deal or understanding to avoid from the certain humiliation and defeat in case the resolution was moved and voting was held. The issue of petroleum prices was able to make the otherwise lackluster proceeding of the house alive. The real blow would be for the economic mangers if the decision was taken back by the government for it would widen the stiff revenue target of Rs1952 billion for the current fiscal year by depriving them from a handsome amount on account of sale tax on petroleum products.