After the 2002 elections there was alot of political uncertainty.No party had a clear majority.The government could have been formed only after an alliance between PML(Pakistan Muslim League) MMA(Muttahida Majlis e Amal),PPPP(Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians) PML or the PPPP and MMA.But none of the parties were willing to form an alliance and after alot of horse trading the PML formed a government.At that time rumours were rife that Makhdoom Amin Fahim of PPPP would be made PM(Prime Minister) and his son would be made Governor Sindh. However something went wrong at the last minute.Apparently Benazir had some reservations on sharing power with General Pervaiz Musharraf.Consequently the Parliament saw a very strong opposition one of the strongest in recent history.
Its been more than 4 years since PML became the ruling party.During these 4 years the sustained democracy introduced by dictator General Musharraf saw three Prime Ministers.Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali was the first PM.Later he developed some problems with the President because of which he was told to leave his office.Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain President of PML was made a care taker PM.Shaukat Aziz the then finance minister was nominated PM and he was unable to go to the office immediately because he was a member of the Senate.After a few days he was elected through a bogus rigged election.This is a clear indication of the fact that anybody who wants to be PM should have the consent of the Army Chief.It doesn’t make a difference whether you dont have a constituency.After all elections are held to be rigged.
Last years local government elections saw the worst ever rigging.International observers condemned the whole process but what matters is that our worthy General’s loyalists came.They are loyal to the General therefore they are loyal to the country.
Elections of 2007 are fast approaching.All parties have started some sort of preparation, though on a very limited and small scale.After showing the worst form of corruption, nepotism etc the PML thinks that it has lost popularity.The fact remains that the lotas could have never come to power if the elections were free and fair.But free and fair elections are just a dream for Pakistan now.
In its preparations for next year’s elections the PML is working out seat adjustments with different parties and what are the possibilities.They are afraid they wont be able to get as many seats next time.As a part of the elections strategy they are looking at alternatives.Their current partner MQM doesnot have any significant importance.MQM’s vote bank is restricted to afew parts of Sindh only.But they need a party which has a following all over Pakistan.The mullahs of MMA are too rigid and can create alot of problems.Nawaz Sharif’s PML has lost most of its leaders to the lotas PML therefore there isn’t any use of talking to them.And secondly they are very much against the present regime.The only option left for Musharraf is the PPPP.They are moderate and reasonable people.Musharraf wants to retain both his uniform and Presidency.For that he needs to legalize his stay through another constitutional amendment after the 2007 elections.But he needs a majority in the Parliment.The last hope for him is the PPPP.
Afew days back in a statement Musharraf admitted that the government was negotiating with PPPP.Some senior leaders of PML are also of the view that PPPP is their last hope.Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed who is a close aide of the President also said that they were in regular contact with the PPPP leadership.However this has been strongly denied by the PPPP leadership.They say that any sort of deal with the Government is impossible.A reason cited for their denial is the Charter of Democracy which was signed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.According to the charter no party will carry out any deal with the military government.
Details will unfold as the elections come closer.A deal between PPPP and General Musharraf cannot be ruled out under any circumstances.However there is a strong possibility of a deal after some time.
