ISLAMABAD: The slim majority in the National Assembly may be the reason behind Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI) stalwarts' most recent attack on key members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
"The attack by Ali Zaidi on senior members of the PPP has generated a storm in the media which may have been deliberate -a diversionary tactic - from focusing on other bad news on nearly all fronts particularly the economic front," stated a key coalition partner on condition of anonymity.
When asked how long this tactic would succeed given the dire growth forecast for the second year running he responded "as long as Imran Khan has the support of the establishment no coalition partner, particularly PML-Q League and the MQM-Pakistan, would rock the boat. Yes they would write letters or otherwise express their discontent but they will not rock the boat," he added.
"Isn't that support contingent on delivery," he was asked to which he shrugged adding, "Prime Minister Imran Khan has not recently mentioned that the civilian and military establishment is on the same page; his speech in the national assembly when he talked of minus one with reference to himself was an opportune moment to mention it but he didn't. But mark my words the moment that support is withdrawn he will lose his majority."
Talking to Business Recorder on condition of anonymity, several parliamentarians from allied parties expressed serious reservations over the performance of the government, its failure to control inflation, and ignoring their proposals and demands.
PML-Q, which is a major coalition partner not only in the center but also in Punjab, has frequently expressed serious reservations over governance. "We have on many occasions raised our valid reservations with the Prime Minister and our concerns over governance in Punjab, but to no avail. We are in the alliance and we haven't yet indicated parting ways with the PTI, but for how long can we sustain this one way partnership," said a PML-Q leader on condition of anonymity.
He added that the party's parliamentarians are facing tremendous pressure from their constituencies, as the problems of the people are not being solved and they are 'extremely disappointed'.
The MQM-P, relatively quiet after Amin-ul-Haq was inducted in the federal cabinet, stated that its demands relating to the issues of Karachi are yet to be met.
"It is not fair to say that MQM-P is silent after getting the ministry. No doubt, we are part of the ruling coalition and we will continue to be. But while sitting in the coalition, we will continue to press the federal government to resolve the problems of the people of Karachi," said an MQM lawmaker.
Background interviews with several parliamentarians from the ruling alliance revealed that there is virtually no concern over the possibility of a vote of confidence being tabled against the Prime Minister.
"There is little likelihood of the PPP winning elections other than in Sindh and we are already dealing with a recalcitrant PPP governing in Sindh; so status quo as far as we are concerned,"
When asked how long they would expect support from the establishment given the poor performance on a range of fronts PTI parliamentarians shrugged stating that "you can't expect them to support the corrupt PML-N and PPP can you?"
PML-N leadership is focusing on mending its fences with the establishment which is why calls by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for an APC have not been answered by Shehbaz Sharif, they further contended.
However, PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif contacted PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday, a day after differences were reported between the two parties on holding of the APC.
According to PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb, all the opposition political parties have agreed on holding of the APC. She said that Shehbaz Sharif will soon host the APC, which will decide the future strategy of the joint opposition after consultation.
After Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) of Sardar Akhtar Mengal which has a total of 4 members in the National Assembly parted ways with the ruling alliance, the current strength of the PTI led coalition is 178 - a razor-thin lead of only six members over the simple majority of 172.
Sardar Akhtar Mengal has held several meetings with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and also spoke to PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the phone.
Maulana is in Karachi for talks with the PPP leadership and is scheduled to go to Lahore for a meeting with Shahbaz Sharif to discuss issues related to APC and the future course of action from the platform of the joint opposition which has a greater possibility of success.
The PTI at present enjoys support of the following coalition partners including Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) with 7 members, Pakistan Muslim League-Qauid (PML-Q) 5, Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) 3, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) 5, Awami Muslim League and Jamhuri Wattan Party (JWP) one each.
At present, the joint opposition has a total strength of 155 - PML-N 84, PPP 55, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) 15 and Awami National Party (ANP) one in the National Assembly. With this, the opposition lacks a total 17 members to form a simple majority in the Lower House of the Parliament.
If BNP-M with 4 members, which is currently sitting on the independent benches in the House, joins the opposition benches, the total strength of the joint opposition will reach 159 - 13 members less than a simple majority of 172.
There are also 4 other independent members in the National Assembly who could also be crucial for either side. In case they also join the opposition benches, then the joint opposition will only require the support of 9 members for an in-house change in the Lower House of Parliament.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020