Pakistan’s two major opposition parties, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), have announced a formal agreement to form a coalition government, ending weeks of political uncertainty after a disputed election.
The deal, which was revealed at a late-night press conference on Tuesday, will see PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif become the prime minister for the second time, while PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari will return to the presidency, a post he held from 2008 to 2013.
The agreement marks a stunning comeback for the PML-N and the PPP, which were both part of a coalition that ousted former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022. Khan, who is currently in jail on charges of leaking state secrets, which he denies, had led a populist movement that challenged the traditional political elite. His supporters, who ran as independents in the February 8 election, emerged as the single largest bloc in the National Assembly, but fell short of a majority.
The PML-N and the PPP, which won 75 and 54 seats respectively, claimed that the election was rigged in favor of Khan’s allies and refused to accept the results. They also accused the powerful military establishment of meddling in the electoral process, a charge that the army denied. After days of intense negotiations, the two parties managed to secure the support of smaller parties and independent candidates, giving them enough numbers to form the next government.
The new power-sharing deal has raised hopes of political stability and economic recovery in Pakistan, which is facing a severe crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic, rising inflation, and mounting debt. The coalition partners have vowed to work together to tackle the challenges and restore the confidence of the people and the international community. They have also pledged to uphold the supremacy of the constitution and the parliament, and to respect the mandate of the voters.
However, the deal also poses some risks and challenges for the country and the region. The coalition government will have to deal with the opposition from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which has called the PML-N and the PPP “mandate thieves” and has vowed to challenge the outcome in the courts and on the streets. The PTI still enjoys a large and loyal following, especially among the youth and the urban middle class, who see Khan as a symbol of change and anti-corruption.
Moreover, the coalition government will have to balance the interests and expectations of its diverse and sometimes conflicting partners, who have different agendas and ideologies. The PML-N and the PPP have a long history of rivalry and mistrust, and have often accused each other of corruption and mismanagement. The PPP, which is more liberal and secular, may clash with the PML-N, which is more conservative and religious, on issues such as civil-military relations, foreign policy, and human rights. The coalition may also face pressure from other parties, such as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which represents the Urdu-speaking community in Karachi, and the Balochistan National Party (BNP), which advocates for the rights of the Baloch people in the restive province.
Furthermore, the coalition government will have to navigate the complex and dynamic regional and international environment, which has implications for Pakistan’s security and prosperity. The coalition will have to maintain good relations with neighboring countries, such as India, Afghanistan, China, and Iran, as well as with key allies, such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The coalition will also have to deal with the challenges posed by the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan, the rising tensions between the US and China, the nuclear rivalry between India and Pakistan, and the sectarian violence in the Middle East.
In conclusion, the new power-sharing deal between the PML-N and the PPP is a significant development for Pakistan’s politics and democracy, but it also entails some uncertainties and difficulties. The coalition government will have to prove its legitimacy and credibility, and deliver on its promises, in order to win the trust and support of the people and the world. The coalition will also have to overcome the internal and external challenges, and pursue a balanced and pragmatic approach, in order to ensure the stability and progress of the country and the region.