KARACHI, Oct 24: As major contenders for the top-slot maintain there can be no compromise on their nominee, their “excessive demand” is pushing the country towards a deadlock owing to which many leaders apprehend that Gen Pervez Musharraf might be inclined to invoke Article 58 (2) (b) which he inserted in the constitution through the Legal Framework Order.
“The situation is fragile as 14 days have passed and yet there is no sign or hope for formation of a government, owing to tall demands by political forces saddled with people’s mandate,” said Aftab Shaikh, deputy convener of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement coordination committee, on Thursday.
“We are heading towards a deadlock and we might see 58(2) (b) being invoked,” he said.
The MQM coordination committee will meet here on Friday to decide whether it would join hands with the PPP or a constellation of other parties.
Asked how this draconian constitutional provision, which is for the removal of the government by the President, if it failed to function in accordance with the constitution, be invoked in situation if the parties failed to form a government, Mr Shaikh referred to clause (b) which says that “(b) a situation has arisen in which the Government of the Federation cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and an appeal to the electorate is necessary.”
Nevertheless, Mr Shaikh said this would be pushing the country towards a deeper and dangerous crisis and the nation will have to pay a heavy price for it.
He said that the situation had become more complicated because almost every political party had made tall demands which do not commensurate with their mandate. In this context, he referred to the position taken by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal.
“Our position is very clear in Sindh, where we are very relevant and we can also be relevant at the centre if all the major players decide to join hands for giving democratic dispensation a chance,” said Mr Shaikh.
Asked about the formation of government in Sindh, Mr Shaikh said everything hinged on who forms the government at the centre.
Meanwhile, Dr. Farooq Sattar, another deputy convener of the MQM said the coordination committee has opened the boxes containing views of its supporters for taking a position whether to join a coalition and with whom.
He said the boxes from all over the province were brought to Nine Zero where they were opened and different teams have begun sifting through the views.
The coordination committee will meet here on Friday to analyse the views and finalise which way the party would go.
He said that “mainstream political parties need to identify the faultlines and overcome psychological impediments.”
He said that need of the hour is to get rid of ad hocism and status quo policies and address the question of provincial autonomy.
Asked about his party’s meetings with the PPP, PML(Q), National Alliance and others, he said these were aimed at reading each other’s mind and find ways of getting over the syndrome of acrimonious past.
Asked if there was a meeting of minds, he said, it was very difficult to say yet. But he was encouraged by the dialogue.
When Dr. Farooq Sattar, who according to sources, has held follow-up meetings with the PPP Sindh chief Nisar Khuhro, was asked whether he noticed any change in these meetings, he said the “change is visible.”
Replying to a question about providing stable government to the province, he said there is a perception that a government formed by the PPP and MQM could be more enduring and would provide stability to the province. The other view is that a government could also be formed minus PPP but may not be as enduring or stable.
He said that a careful assessment of the situation has to be made in the light of the views of our electorate. Sources said that MQM decision would be based on the signals emanating from the centre.