PPP-MQM alliance

The opposition seems so hell-bent on toppling Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government that they are even willing to form alliances with their adversaries. PML-N habours intentions to bring an in-house change keeping the democratic setup intact while the PPP has just reached out to its political rivalry in Sindh.

PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has offered ministries in Sindh to the MQM in exchange for breaking the alliance with the PTI-led federal government. Bilawal lured the MQM with lucrative ministries on the condition that they help send the federal government packing. He has stated that the government will stand by the MQM for the sake of Karachi.

The MQM has not outrightly rejected the possibility as it now seems to be in a bargaining position. The party released a statement that it will not join any coalition on someone’s desire. It stated that development projects launched by the Sindh government in Karachi are inadequate. MQM wants the PPP to address the injustices towards Karachi by making them part of their agenda.

The MQM has thrown the ball back into PPP’s court. They want to regain control of the city’s civic agencies and departments such as the KWSB, KDA, LDA, and Karachi Building Control Authority. The party wants to control these organizations, where the real strength lies, rendering the Karachi Mayor ineffective and without any real authority.

The MQM and PPP have long been political rivals in Sindh but have been together before. The MQM was part of the PPP-led Sindh government from 2008 to 2013. The party pulled out of the coalition but subsequently reconciled. In February 2013, MQM quit the coalition just before the general elections accusing the PPP of supporting Lyari’s gangsters, but rejoined again in 2014 and received two ministries.

PPP’s offer will start new political wrangling in order to gain dominance. The MQM will also attempt to gain leverage from the PTI which needs to retain the fragile alliance in parliament. The MQM seems to be disappointed that the prime minister has not announced any lucrative development package for Karachi.  It may now seek to gain some benefit from the PTI government.

The MQM has been in a coalition of convenience with the PPP before and will look at its political interests before making any decision. The alliance with PTI has kept the MQM politically relevant but this is also nothing more than another coalition of convenience.