Opinion After a murder

The News reported on January 6 that PML-N leaders were conspicuous by their absence at Taseer’s funeral. “The funeral prayers of Salmaan Taseer were attended by a large number of leaders of various political parties. However,no prominent leader from the PML-N attended the funeral. Only two provincial ministers,Malik Nadeem Kamran and Ahsanuddin Qureshi,represented the chief minister and PML-N.” It was reported Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif was advised by his party against attending the funeral to avoid any unpleasant run-in with PPP workers who were enraged by the assassination.

Unstable Islamabad

Pakistan’s federal government,meanwhile,was rocked by the formal withdrawal of a coalition partner,the Karachi-based MQM — which was followed swiftly and startlingly by the reversal of the decision.

The saga began,as Daily Times reported on January,with “the MQM… [throwing the government off balance by announcing its decision to sit on the opposition benches in the Senate and the National Assembly.” The News added: “The dramatic move came after the party leadership held talks with President Asif Zardari in Karachi. The MQM cited the recent hike in petroleum products and non-seriousness of the government to remove its concerns as the major reasons for withdrawing support…” The MQM also opposes new taxes like the reformed general sales tax and insists agriculture tax be levied only on large-scale farmers. Immediately after the MQM in Karachi announced withdrawal of parliamentary support,its London-based chief,Altaf Hussain dialled MQM’s opposition partners in Pakistan to “discuss the overall political situation,” reported Dawn.

Not to be left out,former president Pervez Musharraf said his newly formed party,APML was prepared for possible early elections,reported Daily Times: “‘A little more time would be useful as we are a new party… I must return (to Pakistan) well before the next elections,whenever that may be’.”

Sensing danger,PM Yousaf Raza Gilani came to his rescue and that of his government,reported Daily Times. “PM Gilani has said that the government is going nowhere and that it will continue no matter what… Gilani said he did not see any political crisis in the country pertaining to the

government,adding that he is not in favour of horse trading,or making forward blocs. ‘I was unanimously elected as PM,therefore I expect support from all,’ he said,adding the government had good terms with PML-N chief

Nawaz Sharif.”

PML-N’s ultimatum to the PPP came soon after Taseer’s assassination,reported Daily Times on January 5: “The PML-N… gave the government a three-day ultimatum (starting after the three-day mourning of the Punjab governor) to accept a 12-point ‘charter of demands’ if it wanted to avert its possible collapse… in parliament… Nawaz said the government must reverse the price hike,cut government expenditures by 30 per cent and implement a series of court verdicts against ruling party officials for corruption.”

In a surprise move,the MQM revised its decision to quit the government,reported The News on January 7: “PM Yousuf Raza Gilani was accorded a warm welcome upon his arrival at the MQM headquarters… after behind-the-door contacts proved fruitful… The PPP’s estranged ally… in a late night meeting decided to come back to the fold if Gilani took concrete steps to remove its reservations… It was decided to rejoin the coalition government and not let the premier return empty-handed.”