Allies set to form ‘PDM-2’ govt

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: In a major political development a six parties’ alliance—PMLN, PPP, MQMP, PMLQ, IPP and BAP—on Tuesday announced to form government in the Centre on the pattern of last government of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb announce on social media platform X that PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif nominated party President Shehbaz Sharif for the post of prime minister and Maryam Nawaz for the Punjab chief minister.

Announcing the six-party alliance for next coalition government in a press conference, after the party heads met at the residence of PMLQ President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari said that it was decided to form the government together.

The party heads included Shujaat Hussain, Shehbaz, Asif Zardari, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Aleem Khan, Chairman and BAP representative Sadiq Sanjrani.

Shehbaz, while offering the ‘Charter of Economy’ and ‘Charter of Democracy’ to political parties, said “I agree with the “forgive and forget’ policy to move ahead and accept the split mandate and grateful to all parties who supported the PMLN.”

Shehbaz said that the phase of talking against each other in the election was over, now the Parliament is about to come into existence, we have to end our differences and take the nation forward. “The economy has to be strengthened and stabilised,” he said.

He said that the IMF agreement gave economic stability to Pakistan, the inflation in Pakistan has to be reduced, the debts of Pakistan have to be reduced, and that the mandate that has come in the elections is recognised by all.

He said the PPP has decided to give the PMLN co-vote we are thankful for this. “Thanks to Asif Zardari, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Shujaat Hussain, Aleem Khan, the parties that have gathered here today have a two-thirds majority. Let’s move forward, move the economy forward, end mutual differences,” he said.

In a reply to a question, the former prime minister said that PDM government saved Pakistan from bankruptcy.

To a question about the PMLN prime minister, he said, “I will request Nawaz Sharif to accept the post of prime minister.”

Asked about the absence of Maulana Fazlur Rehman from the meeting and asked whether he was not part of the alliance, Shehbaz Sharif said he had contacted Maulana Fazl but he had a meeting of his party’s Shura and they would meet soon.

When a journalist asked whether Asif Zardari be the next president, Shehbaz restricted himself replying in a light mood, “We will not disappoint you.”

Zardari said, “We wanted that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf should also have been included in the reconciliation process as we want that not only the PTI to be part of this process of reconciliation but every political power to be part of the process of reconciliation.

“We want to go together with economic, defence agenda and other similar things and make Mian Sahib and other friends successful so that we can make Pakistan and its people successful,” he added.

Zardari also raised the slogan of “Pakistan Khappay”.

Shujaat said a sustainable agenda should be everyone’s priority. “Everyone should strive for the betterment of the country,” he said.

MQMP Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said, “We may have differences but Pakistan is the priority. We have supported Shehbaz Sharif before and will continue to do so. If you take steps to save Pakistan, you will lead the country towards a better situation.”

Sanjrani said, “We were all together before, and once again we should strengthen Pakistan’s democracy.”

IPP President Aleem Khan said, “Pakistan is currently going through a very difficult period, the conditions of the poor are very bad due to inflation, and there is a need to take decisions to improve the economy.”

Earlier, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari announced to support the PMLN in government formation without being part of the federal cabinet.

Addressing a press conference on the conclusion of two-day Central Executive Committee of the PPP, Bilawal said the PPP would be willing to support on an issue-to-issue basis and in the case of important votes for the candidate of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, to ensure that a government is formed and political stability is restored.

“The PPP has decided that while we are not in a position to join the federal government ourselves, nor will we be interested in taking ministries in such a set-up, we also do not want to see political chaos in the country. We do not want to see perpetual crisis in the country,” he said.

The PPP chairman said the principled stance is that party wanted help the country emerge from the plethora of crises it is faced with, and the time has come yet again for the party to raise the slogan of ‘Pakistan Khappay’. “The reality is that the PPP does not have a mandate to form the federal government and this is why, I will not be putting myself forward for the candidacy of the Prime Minister of Pakistan”, Bilawal said.

He said there are two other groups that have more numbers in the National Assembly, the independent group and the PMLN, while the PTI has announced that they will not engage in a dialogue with the PPP and that rules out the possibility of an independent and PPP-led government. “That leaves us with PMLN which is the only political party in the National Assembly who have reached out to the PPP and invited us to join their government,” he said.

“If the PTI does not want our votes and the PMLN does not form a majority, and this House fails to elect a PM and form the government, then we will have to go back for re-elections and this will lead to another perpetuation of this political crisis and political stability will not return, rather political instability will increase. The consequences of this will be faced by the people of Pakistan, who at this moment, are facing not only a political crisis but also an economic one, the very real threat of terrorism and climate change,” he said.

Bilawal said the PPP will make a committee to engage with counterparts based on its views. “We will make efforts to push the country in a direction which is the right of the Pakistani people… who do not wish for further chaos. They are looking at their politicians to help them emerge from further turmoil.”

He said the CEC members raised objections over the PMLN and PPP’s experience with them for 18 months. He said confidence-building hence is vital, which is why we will not only discuss government formation in the meetings with other parties, but also demand of them to address the PPP’s grievances.

Talking about the 2024 general elections, Bilawal said that unfortunately, as was the case in 2013 and 2018, this election too suffered from similar objections.

He said the members of the PPP’s CEC too expressed their views regarding the level playing field, rigging and irregularities and it was decided that the CEC will collect all such complaints regarding elections. Moreover, he said despite objections the party will accept the results in larger interest of the people and country. “We would simultaneously want to address these issues so that the upcoming elections are not questioned. We will also use forums such as the Election Commission of Pakistan, the Parliament etc,” he said.

Responding to questions, Bilawal said that a clear mandate was not achieved. “Neither the independent candidates supported by the PTI, nor the PMLN or the PPP are in the position to form their own respective governments,” he said.

Unfortunately, he said, the PTI today is taking decisions that are not in the interest of the people.

The PPP chairman further said that he does not believe that he would be the opposition leader.

Ina reply to another question, Bilawal said that the PPP would effort to form governments in Sindh and Balochistan.

To a question regarding the PPP on constitutional posts of National Assembly Speaker, Senate Chairman and President, the PPP chairman said the party would decide its nominees for these posts but it was his personal desire that Asif Ali Zardari is the PPP’s candidate for the post of the president, because the country is burning and if anyone has the capacity to help put the fire out, it is Asif Ali Zardari.

He said it is imperative for the country that President Zardari assumes this responsibility for the sake of the country yet again.

Answering a question, Bilawal said that the PPP’s stance has always been in support of the Parliament and the PMs completing their terms but if the PMLN’s candidate engages in the traditional politics of hatred and division, then it will be very difficult for the federation and democracy to operate. “Not only the PMLN, but all political parties, including the PTI, should not think for themselves, but for the country,” he said.

“Political forces need to realise that it takes two to tango.”

Bilawal said that the PPP could have taken advantage of this political situation, and blackmailed the PTI and PMLN. “This is not the politics of reconciliation, but our love for the people of Pakistan that is compelling us to make this decision,” he said.

As far as the party’s position in Punjab is concerned, he said the conspiracy against the PPP is a continuation of a pattern in the past. It has been conveyed to Asif Zardari to address these concerns.

The PPP chairman said that the party expressed its concerns over the elections before the media and also wrote to the ECP. “We are relaying our concerns regarding the level playing field to President Zardari to be resolved since he had assured the CEC of it,” he said, adding that this can be addressed by the political parties of the country conducting electoral reforms in a manner that leaves no room for objections in the next elections.

He said that the PTI has made it a habit to cry wolf in every single election despite the fact that it is a historical fact and reality that in the majority of those elections, the odds were not against them. “We all remember the 35 punctures and how the country was destabilised and our fragile democracy was harmed through the protests and sit-ins,” he said.

Bilawal said the PTI themselves have said that they are not willing to talk to any political party. From this statement, it is obvious that they are not interested in forming the government and creating an environment of political stability. “They would like to continue their extreme, populist politics where they wish to delegitimise as many democratic processes as possible,” he said adding that they believe it is to their political benefit to spread chaos in the country.

He said the challenge of this sort of populism is not unique to Pakistan. “We have now come to a point where even the democratic system of America is being challenged along the same playbook whether you are with or without facts on your side; you accuse and repeat the message of rigging to delegitimise the democratic process and institutions,” he said.

“This is a challenge all over the world. Pakistan’s fragile democracy, where 50 percent of its rule has been under direct dictatorships, it is very difficult to cope with this populist challenge,” he said.

He said the consequences of this approach will be borne by the people of Pakistan, especially in the wake of the economic and security crises. “We have a host of challenges to solve,” he said.

He said it will be our constant effort to convince all sides that politics should remain within the democratic space. “We should consult ourselves in a manner that strengthens democratic and civilian institutions, not for our shortsighted political gains,” he said.

Responding to another question, Bilawal said the MQMP adopted a violent approach. It is also a concern that militant elements of the party were freed in the elections, he alleged.

He said our candidates were subjected to violence, their offices and cars were burned. “Despite all this, we will not compromise on the peace and progress of the city of Karachi. Our message to them too is not to engage in the politics of hatred and refrain from dividing the city based on linguistic politics,” he said.

Separately, addressing a press conference, Shehbaz Sharif invited the PTI-backed independent candidates to show majority in the lower house of parliament and form their government.

Ishaq Dar, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Azma Bukhari, Atta Tarar, Malik Ahmed Khan and others were also present on the occasion.

The ex-premier said if the PTI-backed independents failed to form their government, then his party will make its government with the help of allies.

He said the PMLN had emerged as the largest party in Feb 8 elections winning 80 National Assembly seats so far.

He also invited the independent candidates to join the PMLN, as it involved no legal or constitutional bar on them. He said many PTI-backed independent candidates had already announced to join the PMLN.

“We will sit on the opposition benches if the PTI-backed candidates prove their majority in the House, but if they failed, we will use our constitutional and legal right to form government with the help of our allies,” he said.

Answering a question about government formation in the Punjab, Shehbaz said the PMLN had more than 150 seats in the provincial assembly.

He said the PMLN had invited all the parties to form a coalition government in the Centre.

“We have to move forward together in the country’s larger interest,” he maintained.

He strongly rejected the impression that the polls had been manipulated.

“Had the polls been manipulated for us, the independents won’t have won on the ground,” he said, adding that several party stalwarts including Rana Sanaullah, Khwaja Saad Rafique, Khurram Dastagir and others had lost the elections.

Answering yet another question about the future relations with the IMF, he said it was loud and clear that the country needed an immediate relief package.

He said Pakistan faced the biggest financial challenges in its history needing sacrifices.

He said there were various doubts and suspicions about the holding of elections but that phase was over now.

He also thanked the Chief Justice of Pakistan and Election Commission of Pakistan for completing the election process peacefully.

He reminded that the PTI alleged rigging in 2013 and used the term of 35 punctures but later President Arif Alvi regretted the allegation on his handle on erstwhile Twitter.

The ex-premier said the election results were disabled in 2018 and they started coming after 66 hours. He said the results of rural constituencies preceded the urban areas’ results, adding that recounting in Khawaja Saad Rafiq’s constituency was stopped in 2018 and the results of his own election from Karachi were changed.

“After about 10 to 12 percent results, a party started announcing its win. It’s illogical and inappropriate to build an opinion on just 10-12 percent results.”

He said the court had also rejected the complaints of PMLN candidates against rigging.

“From 2018 till 2022, the prime minister used to enter the assembly through a secret passage only to avoid handshake with the members,” he alleged, saying the PTI founder had even refused to sit with the other political parties in tough situations like the Covid-19 pandemic and the Indian fighter jets’ intrusion into Pakistan’s airspace.

“At that time, the entire opposition was present. The Army Chief also came but the prime minister didn’t,” he recalled.

He also said the PMLN got the FATF bill approved and took decisions beyond personal likes and dislikes.

Earlier, successful independent candidate from PP-49 Sialkot Rana Fayaz announced his joining the PMLN and expressed full confidence in the leadership of Nawaz Sharif.

MNA-elect Waseem Qadir also met with the PMLN president at his residence. He has already joined the PMLN. Shehbaz thanked both Rana Fayaz and Waseem Qadir for joining the PMLN.

Meanwhile, Shehbaz Sharif met Maulana Fazalur Rehman at his residence and invited the JUIF to become part of upcoming coalition government in the Centre.Shehbaz Sharif reached Fazl’s residence soon after attending six parties meeting.

The JUIF sources said that Maulana Fazl conveyed his reservations to the PMLN president saying that his party’s mandate had been stolen in February 08 elections. He said that he was planning to sit on opposition benches.

Fazl said that he would respond to the offer of joining coalition government after consulting his party central working committee on Wednesday (today)

The PMLN leaders Ishaq Dar, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Malik Ahmad and JUIF leaders Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Maulana Rashid Soomro and Engineer Ziaur Rehman were also present. Later, Sadiq Sanjrani also met Maulana Fazl at his residence.