Mullah's shown the door.. US intervention worked miracles to bridge the gap between Mush and moderates..
LAHORE: A `government of national unity', with Makhdoom Amin Fahim as prime minister, is in the offing as the government-PPPP deal has materialized because of the US intervention, The News has learnt.
Sources in the government have revealed six ministers will initially take oath -- three from the PML-QAA, one from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and two from the PPPP. It is learnt Ch Aitezaz Ahsan will get an important portfolio in the cabinet. It is also learnt the government is working on the PML-QA, especially Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, to settle him for the speakership of the National Assembly.
The political wheeler-dealers are busy finalizing the shape of the next government. Apart from Islamabad, a few important meetings were on in Lahore as well for drawing the sketch of the next Punjab government. Sources say the MMA and PML-N will sit in the opposition, though MMA taking the control of the NWFP.
The PPPP will form a coalition government with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-A and the PML-QA in Sindh, while the PML-QA will form the government in Punjab. It is learnt the PPPP will get an important slot in Punjab as well. The fate of Balochistan has not yet been finalized.
The important part of this deal is the possible release (on bail) of Asif Ali Zardari, who is expected to be released on Thursday (today). It is important to note Ms Bhutto has succeeded in forcing the government to accept the terms she set forth in the proposed deal. Sources say the PPPP will be given the relief in the shape of legal amnesty to the party stalwarts, including Ms Bhutto. The course of such an arrangement, that is legal amnesty, will be properly chalked out. However, sources say, Ms Bhutto will have to stay away from Pakistan for two years, at least. It is a very important part of the deal.
This deal has been made possible after the US intervention. The US Under Secretary of State Ms Christina Rocca had held an important meeting with Ms Bhutto in Washington early this week. It is learnt the 'displeasure' of the US government over the PPPP's support to a 'hardliner' from rightwing was passed on to Ms Bhutto in this meeting. The PPP Chairperson's cordial relations with the US came under skepticism in this meeting as the PPPP was working against the US interests by creating problems for 'Uncle Sam's man' in Pakistan. Sources said Ms Bhutto complained against the political arrogance of President Musharraf. Nevertheless, the US convinced her to enter into the said deal on the give-n-take basis.
This deal has been confirmed by some top PPPP men, who preferred not to be named. A central PPPP leader told The News the deal would be a strong blow to the ARD. He was of the view this deal would blemish the PPP's image, especially in the eyes of the seasoned politician, Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, who had struggled for democracy's revival all along. This deal will also widen the gap between the PPPP and the rightwing bloc, which would be ditched in case of the formation of a government of national unity. The PML-QA central leader Ch Shujaat Hussain and Amin Fahim were scheduled to meet late Wednesday night in Islamabad to thrash out the contours of the new national government.
Very close to what we suggested..<<To:IQBAL LATIF who wrote (43372)
From: IQBAL LATIF Saturday, Oct 12, 2002 4:05 AM
Respond to of 43437
Mush is sewing in all probability a coalition between all moderate forces that will end up with 170 seats, this will include PPP, his party and NA, the silent majority has taken the front seat however the gains of Mullahs did surprised me, but so will be now the onus on them to deliver in NWFP, they will fail on this count miserably. Governance is a thankless and difficult job..
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