ISLAMABAD: With the ongoing discussions between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) showing no signs of conclusion, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari cautioned on Tuesday of an impending “perilous deadlock” unless there’s a shift in stance regarding government formation.
“Progress [in talks] can only happen if ‘someone’ is ready to adjust their position […] We remain steadfast in our stance and won’t alter it,” Bilawal stated, refraining from directly mentioning the PML-N.
He conveyed these views during a media interaction outside the Supreme Court of Pakistan following his attendance at the hearing of a presidential reference concerning Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s death sentence.
Bilawal’s statements coincide with the scheduled sixth meeting of the coordination committees of the PML-N and PPP today, aimed at reaching consensus on the configuration of the forthcoming government after both parties fell short of securing adequate National Assembly seats for independent governance at the federal level.
The protracted bilateral discussions have been prolonged due to the PPP’s reluctance to partake in the PML-N’s cabinet, notwithstanding its agreement to endorse the PML-N’s nominee for the prime ministerial position. However, in exchange for its backing of the PML-N, Bilawal’s party is seeking significant constitutional roles, notably the presidency for Asif Ali Zardari.
Efforts are underway among major political factions to garner support from independent candidates and forge alliances to attain the requisite 169 seats in the 336-member lower house of parliament, following the emergence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-supported candidates as the largest bloc with over 90 NA seats, followed by PML-N and PPP with 79 and 54 seats, respectively.
Bilawal emphasized that this impasse in negotiations would be detrimental to both democracy and the economy.
In response to inquiries regarding engagement with the establishment, Bilawal retorted: “Where is the proof that I’m affiliated with the establishment? Provide evidence before leveling accusations.”
He noted that the electorate did not favor any single party with an outright majority. “The public has made a decision that necessitates consensus among all stakeholders.”
“Political actors must convene and decide together. If I must support PML-N, it will be on my terms,” Bilawal added.
Previously, PPP’s Information Secretary Faisal Karim Kundi, in a conversation with a Private TV Channel, reiterated the party’s central executive committee’s decision to abstain from participation in the federal cabinet of the forthcoming government.
“[Our] experience with the PML-N during the 16-month coalition was unsatisfactory,” Kundi remarked, underlining the absence of any established formula for distributing the prime ministerial term between the parties’ candidates.
Nevertheless, he expressed optimism that a mutual understanding would be achieved between the two parties in today’s meeting.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
