Government circles must be relieved now as its coalition partner Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) is back to the fold after a series of take since January. Most of the time, PML-Q, which has just four MNAs (and of them, only one is out of their family), tried to dictate the terms, but the government did not budge and without showing any sign of weakness, took them back to the treasury seats. In fact, the Chaudhrys never left the ruling party but once MQM-P left the cabinet last year, they saw an opportunity to gain whatever could be gained. These antics are political and suit such small parties. A week ago, PML-Q refused to speak with a new government team, consisting of Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar, Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, Federal Education Minister Shafquat Mahmood, Planning Minister Asad Umar and Defence Minister Pervez Khattak. The Chaudhrys were comfortable with an earlier committee consisting of Federal Defence Minister Pervez Khattak and Jahangir Tareen. PML-Q wanted to meet the prime minister but their wish was not granted.
Now, Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi gleefully says that “all outstanding matters with the government stand resolved after today’s talks”. He also expressed his resolve to make the government of Imran Khan complete the term and make it successful. This is what he has said many times but their mood swings will follow them a ‘wait and see’ policy. PML-Q’s core demands include power sharing in the districts where it has majority. These central Punjab districts can be counted on a single hand’s fingers. In fact, PML-Q wants to grab slots in the districts where its MPAs come from. The party knows the local council elections belong to the ruling party of the day. Moreover, PML-Q’s wish to see Moonis Elahi as a federal minister would remain a wish. Now, retreating, the party says they do not press the demand because Prime Minister Khan is not comfortable with junior Elahi. A party of four MNAs should have thought 100 times before demanding two ministerial slots in the cabinet.
Our history is littered with the blackmailing of coalition partners. It will continue unless strong parties emerge on the political scene. *