The Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has announced its exit from the federal cabinet, but insists it would not sit on the Opposition benches in the Parliament. Nor will it leave the ruling coalition headed by the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in Sindh. All of this, however, is only as of now, for the MQM has made it clear that should the PPP leadership persist in its present attitude, it can further distance itself from the governments in the Centre and province of Sindh.
Of course, the MQM doesn't like its latest move to be dubbed as 'political pressure' but apparently there is no other word in the Dictionary of Politics to explain the party's calibrated threat that can lead to complete departure from the corridors of power. That the MQM has finally come to the conclusion that it must leave the coalition partnership, is too early to say.
From day one when the MQM and PPP coalesced, their ride together has never been smooth, with often precipitating situations when their separation looked inevitable. But that never took place, thanks to the myriad players who helped remove the 'misunderstandings' besetting their political alliance. So, one has to wait and see how President Zardari, who has proven his deftness in the art of political compromise and his confidants react to the MQM threat - though the more concerned should be Prime Minister Gilani whose job is now at stake.
The ruling coalition currently holds 181 seats including MQM's 25 in the National Assembly of 342 - just nine more than the 172 required to preserve its majority. The million dollar question is: Will the MQM let the Gilani government fall? On the face of it, there is no indication that the MQM would trigger the downfall of the Gilani government, as it has been saying consistently that it would not let democracy fail in Pakistan. But this assurance is predicated on a number of moves and policies that the MQM expects its coalition partner to undertake, especially steps to control the price hike, improve law and order, eliminate corruption and, more importantly, 'action' against Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfikar Mirza.
What seems to have precipitated its decision to quit the federal government is its quite inflexible stand on the home minister's charge that the party is behind the targeted killings in Karachi. Will President Zardari show him the door? That's not likely. But a middle ground is perhaps in the making, with Mirza now claiming that 'his lips have been sealed'. A little more progress on that front and matters are expected to calm down. As for the Gilani government, its survival lies more in fear of the unknown than any other factor.
After its decision to quit the government the JUI-F headed by a shrewd Maulana Fazlur Rahman has now demanded the removal of Prime Minister Gilani and has asked the PPP to appoint a new prime minister. What a tragic paradox that the durability of the Gilani-headed federal government lies in its weakness. The MQM has put the PPP on notice, as its decision to quit the federal cabinet is a signal of its dissatisfaction over issues on which the two nurture mismatching perceptions. But there is no reason for the MQM or for that matter for anyone to think and believe that endemic problems like street violence in Karachi, land mafias, growing economic misery of the common man, and the ever-sharpening ethnic and sectarian divides can be solved overnight or by anyone single-handedly.
The persistent neglect of law and order, poor governance, bureaucratic greed and ill-defined municipal controls have created centres of vested interest to which is held hostage the peace and tranquillity of the country's largest urban centre that also happens to be its economic and financial showcase.
But if there are many issues on which the two sides cannot forge unanimity, there are, we believe, many more and important areas where their continuing co-operation would be in the larger national interest. May be in a different scenario the two can part company but presently their togetherness is a must, and in this the onus lies on the senior partner, the PPP.