Rocky relationship

DESPITE damage control initiatives by PTI government, relationship with almost all allied parties remains rocky and the resultant uncertainty is not allowing government to focus on real issues facing the country and problems confronted by masses. As PML (Q) President Ch Shujaat Hussain, on Sunday, declared that his party would not hold talks with the new committee constituted by Prime Minister Imran Khan for negotiations with allies, government sought assistance of Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani in persuading disgruntled MQM to rejoin the Federal Cabinet.
Trust deficit is growing among coalition partners mainly on complaints of non-fulfilment of pledges and commitments made both before and after formation of government. The differences between PTI and PML (Q) are assuming new dimensions especially in the backdrop of settlement of some issues and their reopening. The two sides had successfully sorted out their differences when Pervez Khattak led team, which also included PTI trouble shooter – Jehangir Tareen – met with PML (Q) leadership and according to reports Chief Minister Usman Buzdar too was onboard. However, on complaints from some PTI leaders that the party was giving more to PML (Q) than it deserved, the Prime Minister dissolved the first committee and formed a new one but PML (Q) is not willing to talk to it. It is also pertinent that the Prime Minister skipped meeting PML (Q) leaders during his recent visit to Lahore, which was not interpreted well by the other side. Governor Punjab Ch. Muhammad Sarwar, who is also instrumental in efforts directed at patch up with allies, has expressed ruling party desire to keep the alliance intact with PML (Q) and go for local bodies polls together but LB polls themselves are reported to be a thorny issue as all parties are eyeing at consolidating their hold on power through these grassroots elections.
It is also understood that in case of separate strategies and non-cooperation, PML (Q) and PTI might lose to PML (N) in many areas, as party’s support in the province remains largely intact despite severe challenges and trials. On the other hand, PML (N) is waiting for the final outcome of differences between PTI and PML (Q) to make some moves for change in the province and same is the case in Sindh where PPP has already extended informal invitation to MQM-P to join provincial government. There are risky but inevitable choices for PTI and decisions have to be made without loss of any more time.