Political alliances between different political parties is a common phenomenon in Pakistan, but the current political chaos in the country backed by the worst economic conditions has created a new and different political environment where the mergers of political parties are taken place. All the three factions of Muthida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have reunited on one page. Similarly, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also offered the Pakistan Muslim League Q for the merger of both the parties. The former prime minister shared the proposal in a meeting with journalists at his Zaman Town residence in Lahore on Friday, where he looked quite relaxed and confident after Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi’s successful vote of confidence.
In a fresh development, Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi has hinted at the possibility of a merger between the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and its ally the Pakistan Tekreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Elahi while answering a journalist’s question during a media talk at the inauguration ceremony of the Khatam Ul Nabiyeen University in Lahore Sunday implied that the possibility of the PTI-PML-Q merger might be a possibility. On the question of whether the provincial chief executive would contest in the upcoming general elections on the symbol of a bat (the election symbol of PTI) or on the symbol of a tractor (PML-Q’s poll symbol), Elahi said: “You will have to be a little patient to hear the answer to this question”.
The merger of all the three factions of MQM was a surprising move as these three factions were against each other and were following totally different paths. But, sudden merger of these factions has totally changed the politics of Sindh as well as the center. United MQM has boycotted the local body elections in Hyderabad and Karachi. The party’s statement came after it had demanded fresh delimitation before holding the local body elections, and despite the Sindh government’s announcement to delay the polls, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) insisted that they go ahead on January 15 without further interruption. The division between MQM and PDM parties has generated a new discussion. PTI is of the view that the party is going to ask the sitting Prime Minister for taking the vote of confidence. Imran Khan has also hinted that PM Shehbaz Sharif will have to take the vote of confidence. Speaking to a private news channel, the former premier said that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif will be “tested” through different plans which includes vote of confidence from the National Assembly. Imran Khan said that the incumbent prime minister had tested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) so now the party would turn the tables on Shehbaz Sharif. The PTI Chairman further said that the party would hash out the details of the move in a party meeting on Sunday and carry out full planning for not only the trust vote but also other plans.
The merger of all the factions of MQM is benefitting PTI currently. If MQM leaves the alliance of PDM at center then PDM may lose the government. Similarly the merger of PML-Q in PTI will also strengthen PTI in center generally and in Punjab particularly. If the idea materializes then PTI will be strengthened further.
Published in Daily country News, january 16th, 2023.
Comments are closed.