Daily Times

The ECP has notified the candidates who won in the General Elections 2018, and statistics show that Pakistan-Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) has managed to cross the 172 and 186required number in the National and Punjab Assembly, respectively to form his government. The opposition in both the assemblies is neck to neck, with just a narrow margin of lead especially in the Punjab Assembly.

Apart from the dense opposition, PTI has to be very cautious in each step that it takes. As their incumbent government in the centre and Punjab is a coalition. Hence, they’ve got to keep a balance in which the opposition and concurrently coalition partners remain pleased.

PTI is in the lead with a razor thin majority, and while it will be able to amend laws, it needs a two-thirds majority every-time for every legislative action it wishes to take. Secondly, Pakistan Muslim League — Nawaz (PML-N) has a simple majority in the Senate Assembly. Therefore, the government in-waiting has ample amounts of summons waiting to be tackled- apart from the economic, legal and administrative duties that it must carry out.

The major parties supporting PTI’s coalition are the Pakistan Muslim League — Quaid (PML-Q), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), along with a hand full of independent candidates. However, it is the inorganic alliance between PTI and MQM-P that discomforts many. Before elections, it was believed that PTI may align with the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) to form the government but the Mustafa Kamal led party failed to snare even a single seat. The MQM (P)-PTI relationship is based on an MoU which delineates nine points. This was signed between PTI Arif Alvi and MQM-P Faisal Sabzwari.

In light of all this political make-up and break-up, it is obvious that all these fragile alliances are for petty interests- aimed at chaffing their opponents. But whether it’s the opposition or the ruling party, they must remember to put Pakistan before their petty interests. This is the only way to keep our democratic process breathing and triumphant. Let us wait for PTI to usher in its new government, as the opposition watches them closely. As for Khan, he cannot afford to make a single mistake against this heavyweight opposition

The points signed off on the MoU are what leads us to believe it is an unnatural alliance, as in it both parties have regressed from their pre-election stances in it. These points are albeit aimed at the betterment of Karachi, which has faced political neglect in the past few years. After the 18th amendment in the Constitution of Pakistan; development, law and order, education are purely provincial subjects.

For example, the empowerment of local bodies, de-politicisation of the police, government jobs in Sindh and the formation of universities in Hyderabad come under the Sindh government. While the Federal Government can usher in any project on its own, it still it requires the assistance of the Provincial Government, ie PPP. However news has surfaced that the PTI Karachi chapter is unhappy with the MQM-P alliance. This was most recently expressed in the controversial statements of Firdous Shamim Naqvi, in which he stated that an alliance with MQM-P was by force not by choice. On the other hand, MQM-P has been crying foul over their recent electoral defeat, and alleged rigging in the General Elections. What an alliance, I must say!

Imran Khan had vowed to facilitate all opposition and coalition partners for the general election audit. Indeed, the MoU between PTI and MQM also contains recounting on desired seats. But the recent behaviour of Babar Awan over the recounting of NA-131 has not proven to be as equitable as Khan had proclaimed in his victory speech. The petition was filed by Khawaja Saad Rafique in the Lahore High Court (LHC )who lost against Imran Khan. LHC ordered to re-tabulate. Instead of going to the ECP for re-tabulation Khan’s lawyer filed an appeal in Supreme Court which suspended LHC’s order. If this continues then I don’t think the PTI-MQM-P nexus will last too long unless MQM-P withdraws its demand.

Similarly, the opposition is also housing a rather surprisingly alliance between PPP and the PML-N. The same parties who had been stabbing each other in the back, slinging mud upon each other — now regard one another as close associates.

In light of all this political make-up, and break-up it is obvious that all these fragile alliances are for petty interests- aimed at chaffing their opponents. But whether it’s the opposition or the ruling party, they must remember to put Pakistan before their petty interests. This is the only way to keep our democratic process breathing and triumphant. Let us wait for PTI to usher in its new government, as the opposition watches them closely. As for Khan, he cannot afford to make a single mistake against this heavy-weight opposition.

The writer is an academic. He tweets @muhd_hani

Published in Daily Times, August 16^th 2018.