The professed differences between the PML-N and the PPP likely will prove a test for the full-term survival of the incumbent government.
The differences between both the political parties came to the surface on the budget day. Though the disagreements reported to have been resolved, how they both can stride along is a question when another four budgets are yet to be presented in future.
Analysts think that both of them cannot go together for a long time especially when the PPP’s sole agenda is not to keep supporting the PML-N in forming governments. The PMLN like the previous one is running this government on crutches. Anyhow, the issues are reported to have been melted after the PPP’s Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Reportedly Mr. Bilawal assured the PM his party’s support for the passing of Budget 2024-25. The government is scheduled to table the finance bill for the said fiscal year on June 28.
Now question arises will these differences come to an end and can further escalate the susceptibility of the PML-N’s future. What is the PPP’s agenda if the PML-N has to stay in the government and wishes also exist to bring Bilawal into power?
The PPP is the major ally of the PML-N government but abstained from joining it. And in lieu it received the presidency of Pakistan, a chairmanship slot in the Senate, and governors of both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Previously the PPP supported the PML-N forming government after Imran Khan was removed through a vote of no confidence. The PML-N paid the price of that government in the general elections but again brought in power majorly with the vote of this party. It is a fact that this government was formed under the wishes of the PPP. When it was installed against the desires of the PPP then how can it support the PML-N for a long time? Is the PPP meant to support the PML-N in forming governments or has no agenda of bringing Bilawal into power? What the PPP wishes for Bilawal is well known to all in Pakistan.
It is understood that the PPP’s support to the PML-N in the existing circumstances is not to enable the PML-N to secure the next term. This support is just for having ground that the PML-N has lost since its previous government and when the people are not happy with the IMF-branded budgets and running the affairs with the help of the establishment. These parties are not likely to go together even for having separate agendas. One propagates progressive thoughts and the other is going on with a relatively conservative agenda.
When the PPP is not ready to own the decisions of this government at the beginning then how PML-N can expect a long-lasting relationship? This party is not to present its shoulder to share the burden of the government. If the PTI is not a fit choice, the PML-N is losing ground then what other choice is left? The other choice is the PPP even for those alleged to make and break the governments. How long an establishment can go to support a weak government is another question that persists in this regard? If they will have to play a role even in getting the budgets passed then it cannot go for a long time. This government with differences from the PPP cannot survive when it is on crutches and the sword of Farm 47 is also hanging. The PPP will not desire that the economy of the country gets stable and the credit goes to the PML-N so it could secure even the next term. The PPP fully understands the situation and the point when to hit this government. Resolving the difference in this budget without taking the PPP into the government will not work for the PML-N to complete its five-year turn. The more PPP stays away the brighter chance are for it to take the executive power. Surprisingly, the information minister was reported saying that during the meeting some “minor” reservations were expressed by the PPP, which would be resolved.
It may be noted that the PPP is not happy with the privatization plan proposed by the PML-N to reform the state-owned entities. How Mr. Minister’s party can resolve this issue is beyond understanding when it comes to the condition of the IMF. The PPP has concerns about the development budget. How the government can change the development budget by going beyond the dictated budget is a question for the minister.
Mr. Bilawal told the premier that the PML-N government in Punjab was creating difficulties for the PPP in the province. What these difficulties can be to help the PPP other than to provide it a ground for getting strong in Punjab or granting some key departments or important portfolios? Bilawal also expressed concerns that the PML-N was not complying with agreements after which the PPP joined the government. What these agreements are on which Mr. Bilawal is so much concerned but the minister call them minor?
Earlier on the budget day this party agreed to send three MNAs as a token representation after Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spent significant time addressing their concerns that delayed the budget session. Mr. Khursheed Shah stated it was the budget of the IMF and not of the people. There are reports that the PPP is asking share in Punjab because Punjab is right now proving some well. Everyone knows that the PPP is not deserved for this share in Punjab the way Sindh is not for the PML-N. Is it a minor issue?
Punjab is the last pocket that PPP wishes to cover. Once it is done the PML-N may no longer stay in the center. Now after the meeting between both the PM and Mr. Bilawal, the PML-N side informed the PM highlighted the macroeconomic indicators showing encouraging growth and a historic boom in the stock market. Surprising that this fact is not known to the PPP which the PML-N is disclosing. The government has also formed a committee led by the Deputy PM to take up the issue with the PPP to carry the talks forward. The resolution of these differences looks like a cosmetic arrangement as the real challenge for this government is that how it keeps the PPP united with it till its constitutional time frame comes to an end.
(Senior journalist Rana Kashif has authored this analysis)