Ruling PPP Chalks Out New Power Sharing Formula

Islamabad, Jan 19, IRNA – Ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is considering a new power sharing formula to ensure the support of allied political parties. There are media reports that under the new formula top government slots could be given to coalition partners of the PPP led government. Earlier the Pakistan People`s Party with its allies had staged a powerful show with well over 250 lawmakers, after the Supreme Court issued contempt notice to the Prime Minister. To boost their morale, President Asif Ali Zardari also made an appearance and assured the participants that he would not use their support for personal gains and was willing to face courts on his own. PM Gilani himself could be disqualified after the possible conviction, if the court is not satisfied with his argument regarding non-implementation of court orders. Reports say that the PPP only enjoys 29 percent of the mandate however; all the top democratic slots of the government are with the PPP. According to reports the PPP believes that allied parties should be given some major positions in the government for the stability of democratic system. The draft of the new power sharing formula named ‘Save Democracy Formula under the Constitution’ has already been sent to all coalition partners. There are four options given in the document about power sharing. Under first option the PPP will keep the posts of the president or prime minister. The second option says that posts of president or prime minister should be given to second largest party Pakistan Muslim League-Q leader. Third option says Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) the third largest coalition partner should be given the slot of Chairman Senate or Speaker National Assembly. Under the forth option Awami National Party (ANP) should be given the seat of Chairman Senate or Speaker National Assembly. If the ruling coalition parties are not satisfied by formula the election could be held in the country as last option. There are media reports that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government has also chalked out a Plan-B, and the party’s president, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, is being considered for premiership in case the Supreme Court issues a verdict against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani despite his appearance before the larger bench. They said Amin Fahim was also being considered, as he would be acceptable to all coalition partners in the government, especially the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). The PPP sources also said that although the government was optimistic about the Supreme Court’s response after PM Gilani’s appearance in court, it was getting prepared to field a new prime minister in case “things go wrong”./end