ISLAMABAD - Asif Ali Zardari, arguably the finest key player in Pakistan at present, is active again to annoy the embattled government led by the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf.
The former President has been holding physical and virtual meetings with potential allies and supporters who can quit the alliance with the PTI and back the opposition’s moves against the government. Although, his last day’s meeting with Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam) leadership did not translate into an immediate alliance, the stage is set for many government allies to change sides.
The PML-Q trusts Zardari but lacks confidence in the PML (Nawaz). And without the PML-N’s inclusion, the opposition cannot move an inch inside the parliament. The only option then can be agitation. The PPP is against any unconstitutional move to topple the government.
There are also reports that Zardari can become a candidate to replace Imran Khan as prime minister though he has not himself announced his candidature.
The PML-N might accept Zardari as the next PM if he agrees to call elections within weeks, a condition the PPP is not ready to accept.
The PPP is of the view that the assemblies must complete the tenure like the previous two terms led by the PML-N (2013-2018) and the PPP (2008-2013).
The soft and more practical target for the opposition is Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. There are certain groups with the PTI who might be ready to play a role as they are not satisfied with Buzdar’s leadership. Even the PML-Q would be more inclined to support a move against Buzdar than Imran Khan.
In Punjab, the PML-N is very confident to be able to get support of a large number of PTI lawmakers.
Zardari reportedly informed the PML-N leadership that the PPP could manage to woo eight votes from the government allies. In response, the PML-N claimed that it had around 22 members of PTI.
PML-Q is exploring new possibilities like Zardari. In this backdrop, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi held a two-hour-long meeting with the former president at the Bilawal House, Lahore, which is of political significance. The two have discussed the ongoing political situation and the future political arrangement.
Zardari appreciated the way Pervez Elahi managed the Senate elections and the former extended his complete support to the latter. Pervez Elahi also appreciated the role of Zardari in getting all the senators in Punjab Assembly elected unopposed by ensuring withdrawal of some candidates during the elections.