The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has proposed political positions, including the presidency, National Assembly speakership, and Senate chairmanship, to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in exchange for support in establishing governments at the central and Punjab levels.
The offer emerged from a meeting between the leadership of the PPP and PML-N, which aimed to discuss the formation of a unity government following the February 8 elections, in which neither party achieved a simple majority.
Sources indicate that the PML-N offered three constitutional roles to the PPP to secure its assistance in both the central government and Punjab. The PPP was presented with the opportunities to occupy the positions of president, speaker of the National Assembly, and Senate chairman. Moreover, the PML-N consented to assign the Chief Minister role of Balochistan to the party led by Bilawal Bhutto.
Additionally, the PML-N is said to have proposed either the deputy Chief Minister’s position or that of a senior minister within Punjab to the PPP.
Both parties have resolved to prolong their dialogue, pending further discussions within their respective Central Executive Committees (CECs). However, PPP sources said the PPP’s CEC would determine the course of action regarding potential alliances for forming the central government. Hence, decisions on collaboration with other political entities will reflect the deliberations and consensus of Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto with the PPP’s Central Executive Committee.
