Recent involvement of federal ministers in operation clean-up Karachi and hostile statements from MQM-P, an ally of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against the provincial government of Sindh, have sparked speculation about the possibility of a forward bloc in Sindh against the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) government.
The numerical break-up of the strength of political parties' in the 168-member Sindh legislature is as follows: PPP is the majority party with 99 seats followed by PTI's 30 seats, Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) with 20 seats, Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) has 14 seats, and Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) 3 seats. Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) has only 1 seat. The opposition's alliance comprising of PTI, MQM, GDA and TLP in the provincial legislature has 68 seats in total, 17 members are short for an ultimate in-house change by simple majority vote as support of at least 85 out of 168 members provincial assembly (MPAs) is required for a vote of no-confidence to be successful.
However, several PPP leaders, including the party's top leadership, are facing serious cases of corruption, money laundering, fake bank accounts and other serious offences, some circles speculate that the federal government may be tempted to push for the creation of a forward bloc in the Sindh Assembly.
"In a situation like we have in Karachi when several lawmakers of a political party are in serious legal trouble, it would not be surprising if many of their supporters are forced or tempted to change loyalties in a bid to appease the powers-that-be. Keeping in view the fast unfolding political landscape, anything seems possible in Pakistan," commented an MQM lawmaker, requesting anonymity.
He referred to the creation of a forward bloc in Balochistan Assembly last year where the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz-led former provincial government had 52 seats in 65-seat provincial assembly compared to only 13 seats of opposition parties. But PML-N Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri was compelled to resign as the forward bloc against him kept getting stronger.
"If 13 opposition lawmakers can successfully lobby to have the CM removed in Balochistan, it does not seem to be a problem for 68 opposition legislators to do the same in Sindh," the source commented.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi announced a 'Clean Karachi' drive on 4 August followed by strong criticism of the performance of the Sindh government by Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar, MQM-P. Akhtar slammed the provincial machinery of inefficiency and incompetence and urged the people of Karachi to stop paying taxes.
Provincial Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani retaliated by accusing the mayor of Karachi of "working on PTI agenda against the PPP government in Sindh." On Friday (August 23), Federal Minster for Water Resources Faisal Vawda reiterated his resolve to take care of water-related problems of Karachi and announced the construction of Kotri Barrage.
Amidst the active involvement of federal ministers in the affairs of Karachi in general and Sindh in particular, rumours are rife in the federal capital that the stage is being set for the creation of a forward bloc in Sindh Assembly in a bid to send the PPP's provincial government packing.
However, senior leaders of PPP and PTI from Sindh told Business Recorder that the emergence of a forward bloc is unlikely in Sindh.
Speaking to Business Recorder, PPP's Parliamentary Leader in National Assembly Syed Naveed Qamar, who hails from Sindh said, "In Sindh, we have a clear majority and PTI has no leverage to de-seat our government by hook or by crook. So, I don't see any chance of the emergence of a forward bloc."
He further said: "Gone are the days when it was easy to topple an elected government. Now, it is counterproductive and entails adverse consequences."
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