ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf is surrounded by many aspirants of the coveted post and this could have an adverse impact on the performance of the administration. Most of the contenders look towards the Presidency for guidance and reporting. The new prime minister is in the eye of the storm right from the beginning and for this reason he is taking every step with utmost care and uttering every word with great caution. He secured the position ‘accidentally’, as the real nominee of the ruling alliance was knocked down by an organisation headed by a two-star serving general of the Army. It has made his elevation an intriguing exercise but it is certain that he would handle the situation with greater care and would show more wisdom when dealing with the ‘institutions.’
The political sources reminded that Raja Pervez Ashraf believes in old time orthodox politics where all methods are used for wooing opponents and in case it doesn’t work, undesirable tactics could also be used. The Raja is experiencing tough times at the hands of the colleagues from the allied parliamentary groups and trouble also could come from within the ruling party. The challenge he is faccing right now could make him very careful chief executive, the sources said.
Chaudhary Pervez Illahi, Chaudhary Ahmad Mukhtar, Makhdoom Shahbuddin, Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Dr. Farooq Sattar, Ms. Samina Khalid Ghurki, Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Syed Naveed Qamar are federal ministers but they were all at one time considered for the slot.
The sources are of the view that the leaders of ruling alliance would have to put their heads together next week to evolve strategy to deal with the emerging situation because both the major opposition parties have made up their mind to take on Raja, as Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) are competing with each other in maligning new prime minister. Raja has become prime minister in the election year and it has added to his difficulties, the sources reminded.