Shehbaz PM, Zardari president as PPP, PML-N finally agree to form govt
After lengthy discussions, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) reached a pact late Tuesday to establish a coalition government at the federal level, as neither party won a simple majority in the general election on February 8.
Amid the post-election uncertainty, senior representatives from both parties confirmed their decision to collaborate once more to govern ‘in the national interest.’
‘We now have the required numbers to constitute the forthcoming government,’ declared PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari during a media briefing in Islamabad, flanked by prominent figures from both parties on Tuesday night.
Without a clear majority from the February 8 elections, political groups were compelled to form alliances to gain power, yet the absence of an immediate deal had sparked speculation.
Following the February 8 elections, independent candidates supported by PTI held the highest number of seats in the National Assembly (92), with PML-N at 79 and PPP at 54.
While negotiations for government formation were ongoing, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) formed an alliance with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) to secure the necessary support through reserved seats in the legislature.
However, the PPP chief told reporters that the SIC did not have sufficient numbers to form the next government in the Centre.
Bilawal said Shehbaz would be the next prime minister and Zardari would be the joint candidate for both parties for the president’s slot.
He added that both parties would form the next government to pull the country out of the ongoing crises and expressed hope that they would be able to deliver.
To a question regarding PML-N leader Ishaq Dar’s nomination as Senate chairman, Bilawal replied that decisions were taken in the meetings, but would be announced separately by each party.
“If we look at the past, we have announced the coalition and made decisions with consensus very quickly compared to previous tenures,” he continued.
PPP Co-chairman Zardari said that he wants to assure people that their struggle is for “you, Pakistan, and the coming generations”.
“We have come to terms on the point that we have to ensure Pakistan’s success for the coming generations,” he added.
At the event, Shehbaz from PML-N mentioned that he had invited the winning candidates supported by PTI to demonstrate their majority and establish the government, yet they lacked the needed numbers.
He claimed their side has enough support to form the upcoming government and expressed gratitude to Bilawal and Zardari for their collaboration. Shehbaz announced that both parties have agreed to nominate Zardari as their united candidate for presidency.
When questioned about any ministries being allocated to the PPP, Shehbaz stated that Bilawal’s party has made no ministry requests since the beginning.
He explained that negotiations are common between parties and solutions are found through joint consultations; this doesn’t necessarily mean that either side gives in to the other’s demands. Instead, finding a compromise is the essence of true political achievement, he noted.
Shehbaz, the ex-prime minister, said that the decision on leadership positions would be a joint effort, taken later with advice from PML-N’s leader Nawaz Sharif and the top echelon of the PPP.
He also offered thanks to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid for their support in forming the new government.