ISLAMABAD, Aug 1: Some fireworks are likely when the Senate begins its monsoon session on Wednesday amid a serious rift in the ruling coalition. The rift between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) primarily over the affairs of the provincial government in Sindh is sure to ring through the upper house, parliamentary sources said.

It was not immediately known if federal ministers and Senators from the MQM, which boycotted a conciliatory meeting convened by President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad on Tuesday, would attend the opening of the session at 5pm.

But the row, which threatens the existence of the present ruling coalition in Sindh province, is likely to be raised by opposition parties. A heated discussion is also expected on the conflict in Lebanon.

Opposition parties will ask the government about how it had moved since the start of the conflict 19 days ago may also call in question Pakistan’s strategic alliance with the United States whose backing for Israel is seen as the main encouragement for the Jewish state’s merciless air and ground attacks on Lebanon, opposition sources said.

They said opposition parties might seek a discussion on Lebanon through points of order or an adjournment motion immediately after the upper house meets at 5pm.

Other issues expected to spark wordy duels in the 100-seat house include the continuing insurgency in Balochistan, anti- militant military operations in the North Waziristan tribal area where the government has initiated new peace moves, the sale of the Pakistan Steel Mill (PSM) that was cancelled by the Supreme Court, and a controversy over last year’s stock market crash.

The combined opposition, comprising the Democratic Alliance and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), will finalise its plans at a meeting to be held before the start of the session following a lunch hosted by opposition leader Raza Rabbani, an opposition source said.

The Senate session, being held after a gap of 43 days, is due to continue up to August 18. It comes only two days before the National Assembly is due to meet on Friday after a similar recess following budget sessions of both the houses in June.