PML-N seeks defence, interior

By Shafqat Ali

Islamabad, March 14: The Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) are ready to form the next coalition government but have been virtually wrestling for important slots in the Cabinet.

"The PPP and the PML(N) remain inconclusive over the distribution of ministries between the coalition partners at Centre," a senior PPP leader told this newspaper.

"In fact, the PPP is a bit annoyed over the demands of the PML(N) for major Cabinet portfolios," he added.

Both the parties have been in power before more than once and have turned into friends after years of rivalry.

"The parties have failed to finalise the distribution formula (of Cabinet slots). The parliamentary parties will meet again on Monday (March 17), just before the first session of the National Assembly, to find out something common," the PPP leader said, adding, " the Awami National Party, and the Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal will join the meeting to get their share."

On Thursday, an important meeting between the special committees of the PML(N) and the PPP was held at the Opposition leader chamber in the senate to frame the future Cabinet in the Parliament House. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Khawaja Mohammed Asif and Ishaq Dar represented the PML(N) whereas Mian Raza Rabbani, Sherry Rehman and Syed Khurshid Shah from the PPP held talks.

According to the sources, during the meeting, the PML(N) was looking for 40 per cent share in the federal Cabinet but the PPP leadership tried to convince it only for 30 per cent.

Another major concern which resulted in failure of the meeting is the federal interior ministry. The PML(N) wants to get portfolio of the interior ministry, however, the PPP leadership wants to keep the same ministry in its camp.

The PML(N) is ready to give the foreign ministry to the PPP in account of getting the office of the interior minister. But the PPP leadership is trying to convince their partners that the party has already nominated someone for the slot of the interior minister. According to close circles, the ANP is also interested in the interior ministry.