JEDDAH, 10 March 2008 — Pakistani expatriates in Saudi Arabia have overwhelmingly welcomed the coming together of their country’s two largest political parties in order to form a government of national unity.
“It is the first time that the archrivals have joined hands to form a government, but I am skeptical about its stability and longevity due to several inherent contradictions in both parties,” Amir Mohammed Khan, chairman of Pakistani Journalists Forum, said.
“The deal poses a threat to President Pervez Musharraf’s position and puts his political future in doubt,” he said.
Asif Ali Zardari, who took charge as co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) after his wife Benazir Bhutto was killed during the election campaign, has reached an agreement with his one-time rival and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N).
A government is expected to be formed within the next 10 days, when Pakistan’s Parliament, the National Assembly, meets for the first time since elections last month.
“Top of the government’s agenda will be moves to change the constitution to strip the president of his power to dismiss Parliament and the government at will,” another Pakistani journalist said.
“This is a historic occasion. We appreciate the Murree Declaration that has brought together the political parties and their resolve to form a national government. It is the victory of the people of Pakistan. It is the rejection of dictatorship. It proves the wisdom and vision of political leaders. It is the unity of PPP, PML-N and Awami National Party (ANP),” Shafiq Maitla, an engineer in Riyadh said.
Ehsanul Haque, convener of Pakistan Repatriation Council, termed the decision of the parties to form a national unity government as a turning point in the country’s history. “This will be the best government to tackle contentious issues that are hanging fire for long, including Kashmir, stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh, Kalabagh Dam and other international issues, including country’s policy toward the United States. It will also have to deal with domestic issues like water and electricity on a priority basis,” he said.
In reaching yesterday’s landmark political deal, both sides have shown flexibility in agreeing to compromise on the issues that had been dividing them since the Feb. 18 election.
Sharif’s party has agreed to join the government. He had earlier maintained a stand that he would refuse to take part in government so long as Musharraf remained president. It was Musharraf who had deposed and exiled Sharif.
“It is yet to be announced who will become prime minister, but the new leader will come from the Pakistan People’s Party, which won the most seats in the parliamentary vote,” an office executive and PPP supporter, who did not want to be identified, said.
