In a momentous political development, a six-party alliance — PML-N, PPP, MQMP, PML-Q, IPP, and BAP — stated on Tuesday that it will establish a government in the Centre based on the pattern of the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s previous government.
Former President Zardari announced the six-party alliance for the future coalition government in a news conference after the party chiefs met at PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s residence and agreed to form the government together.
Prior to the top leaders’ news conference, PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated that his party will help the PML-N in electing its prime minister without being a part of the federal government.
In response to a question about the constitutional positions of National Assembly speaker, Senate chairman, and president, the PPP chairman stated that the party would choose nominees for these positions, but that he wanted Asif Ali Zardari to become president “because the country is burning and if anyone can help put the fire out, it is Asif Ali Zardari”.
According to sources, in addition to the presidency, the PPP is interested in the position of Balochistan chief minister, and party leader Sarfraz Bugti has updated his party on the provincial political situation.
According to sources, the PML-N leadership has decided to support Zardari for president in exchange for the PPP supporting Shehbaz for prime minister.
If the scenario remains unchanged, the country will have the PML-N’s prime minister and the PPP’s president.
Meanwhile, PML-N senior leader Rana Sanaullah stated the PPP did not seek the highest constitutional position of president.
In a statement, Sanaullah stated that Shehbaz has experience working with allies, whereas Asif Ali Zardari has the political savvy to make sound decisions.
He stated that the PPP made no demands or commitments on the president’s position. “We hope that [JUI-F chief] Fazlur Rehman will become part of the government,” he told reporters.
