The existential dilemma of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government keeps coming back
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has initiated a fresh round of consultations with his Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) allies over whether the coalition should continue in government or step down to make way for fresh elections, Independent Pakistan can report.
According to credible sources, alleged interference in the affairs of governance by some state institutions had irked the ruling coalition.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court of Pakistan took suo moto notice over the Sharif administration’s ‘perceived’ interference in prosecution. In the first hearing of the case, the apex court barred the executive from posting or transferring investigation officers in cases against government personages.
The move vexed the ruling coalition, and several PDM leaders went on the record vociferously objecting to what they saw as the judiciary’s meddling in the affairs of the executive.
The Sharif administration is also upset over what it deems continued support for ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan from elements within the military despite repeated and emphatic affirmations by the military’s spokesperson that the military has no business meddling in politics.
Some of PM Sharif’s cabinet colleagues have openly complained about the absence of the requisite support from ‘the establishment’, especially concerning the tough calls the administration has to make to put the country’s gutted economy back on the rails.
They assert this support is essential before the administration can take tough and potentially unpopular decisions.
Against this backdrop, reliable sources say Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif has told PM Sharif to take his coalition partners into confidence about the latest developments, and quit if the coalition finds it is not possible to govern effectively.
Also on Friday, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah posted a tweet asserting this very position. “If we are stopped from working, if our hands are tied and suspicions are voiced over our performance, then those who are responsible [for creating the current mess] can handle it.”
The PML-N stalwart added, in the Urdu-language tweet: “We did not ruin the economy so why should we take responsibility for it? We will return to the people after consulting allies.”
Under the Constitution, the Prime Minister may name a caretaker Prime Minister in consultation with the Leader of Opposition before announcing general elections.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Raja Riaz Ahmed, who heads the party’s National Assembly caucus that broke away from Imran Khan, is now the Leader of Opposition. Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf confirmed his appointment to that position Thursday.
This means the path is now clear for PM Sharif to appoint a caretaker Prime Minister and dissolve the incumbent National Assembly, seeking a fresh mandate from the masses.
The sources said the authorities are actively considering a few names for the position of caretaker Prime Minister, including a top economist and a son of a former general.
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