Changing landscape?:
PPP faces dilemma with coalition partners in Gilgit-Baltistan
June 5, 2013 GILGIT: In the aftermath of the May 11 elections and
the emergence of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as the largest party
at the centre, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is in a fix whether to retain
its coalition partners in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B). Current PPP coalition
partners include the JUI-F, PML-Q and Muttahida Qaumi Movement. PPP loyalists
are advising G-B Chief Minister Mehdi Shah to give opportunities to his party
leaders instead of coalition partners for the remaining one and half year of the
current government’s term.
If the PPP decides to
continue partnering with the existing coalition, it is bound to face criticism
from party workers. But if the PPP decides to end the coalition, its former
allies will end up sitting on the opposition benches. A tough opposition such
as this can further test the party’s credibility, which has already been marred
by allegations of corruption, misrule and nepotism. Recently, G-B Assembly
Speaker Wazir Baig demanded an inquiry into the alleged corruption scams within
his own government. “Pressure from within the party is mounting on the PPP
leadership to relieve the coalition partners,” said G-B Minister for Local
Bodies Mohammad Ismail. “The PPP’s leadership will decide in the end, but we
respect the views of party jiyalas,” he added.
Coalition parties seem
to have realised the threat, but are adamant the partnership remains strong. “Our
alliance is indispensible for the PPP’s strength in G-B,” said Rahmat Khaliq,
the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) lawmaker from Diamer Valley.
“If we part ways, the PML-N will benefit.” Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s
(PML-Q) senior leadership in the region expressed similar views. “We want to
extend a helping hand to the PPP. Those making claims against us are agents of
the PML-N,” said the party’s MPA from Nagar Valley,
Mirza Hussain. The opposition constitutes two lawmakers from the PML-N and a
nationalist MPA, Nawaz Khan Naji. Regardless of whether the PPP sustains its
partnership, the PML-N’s regional leaders have hinted at replacing G-B Governor
Pir Karam Ali Shah with one of their own stalwarts.
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