Zardari Keeps The Coalition Jelled.

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan People's Party co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari is keeping the coalition government jelled amid the rising inflation and financial challenges.

The PPP supremo, known for his political acumen, is holding meetings with the smaller allied parties and contacting others over the telephone to make sure they stay with the government. There have been attempts by the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf to pluck smaller parties from the ruling coalition to oust them in the same way in which the PTI was removed from power.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam) and the Balochistan Awami Party have so far not given any positive signal to the PTI but things change in moments in the Pakistani politics.

Under these circumstances, Zardari's role has become very important for the PML (Nawaz)-led coalition. Zardari, a former President, is a strong supporter of elections on schedule rather than going early for the polls as desired by the PTI after losing power.

He has many times made it clear that elections in the country 'will only be held after poll reforms are introduced and the National Accountability Laws are amended.'

Zardari played a key role in the vote of no-confidence motion moved by several parties against former Prime Minister Imran Khan. He believes elections should be held once the incumbent coalition government completes both tasks.

'I have also talked to Nawaz Sharif (PML-N supremo) on this and we agreed that we can go to polls as soon as the reforms and targets are met. We have to change laws and improve them and then go to elections. Whether it takes three or four months, we have to work on implementation of policies and improving the electoral process,' he said at a recent media interaction.

He also said the coalition government headed by Nawaz Sharif's brother Shehbaz Sharif had no issue with voting rights and representation of overseas Pakistanis in elections.

Shehbaz Sharif wants govt to complete remaining constitutional tenure till August next year

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also wants the government to complete the remaining constitutional tenure till August next year. However, he has been under pressure due to the economic situation as the US dollar is at a historic high against the Pakistani Rupee, giving rise to inflation. In addition, the fuel prices have risen to highest ever levels due to the conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund to withdraw subsidies.

The cash-starved...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT