THE new government has assumed power in an environment marked by political turmoil, polarisation and controversy over the election. In his second stint as prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif heads a fragile six-party coalition, with his party lacking a majority and dependent for its survival on the PPP, which has opted to support the government while declining to join the cabinet.

This means the government will have to engage in sustained efforts to keep the PPP and other allies happy and meet their demands to retain their support. The minority government will face the vulnerabilities of coalition politics and have to deal with unpredictable coalition partners, with little assurance of stability. All this could distract it from the job of governance.

The Sharif government will face other constraints on its exercise of power. With PTI intent on resorting to agitational politics this will present the ruling coalition with a continuing challenge. As the opposition constitutes a large bloc in the National Assembly it will make the task of conducting parliamentary business more difficult.

The disruptive conduct of PTI-backed MNAs in the Assembly’s initial sessions indicates the shape of things to come, especially as they promise to stage protests in every session.

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