PDM 2.0 in action to form federal government

The answer to ‘Who would form federal government in Pakistan’ is about to become evident as Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has declared Shehbaz Sharif as their candidate for the prime minister slot and Maryam Nawaz for chief minister in Punjab. It also became clear that PML-N would receive support from PPP, MQM-P, PML-Q, IPP and BAP to form a coalition government – somewhat a launch of PDM 2.0.

While addressing the press conference, Asif Ali Zardari welcomed all parties to reconciliation. He also asked PTI to join hands for a common economic and defence agenda. Shehbaz Sharif has hinted that Asif Ali Zardari might take the position of president.

In the number game, the coalition of six parties would take the total tally of general seats to 152. This would pave the way to attain seats for minorities (10 seats) and women (60 seats). Hence, if all boxes got checked, PDM 2.0 would achieve the magical two-third majority by securing 224 seats out of the total 336.

The position of PTI remained unclear as independent candidates are yet to decide whether they’ll remain independent or join a party. Out of 101 victorious independent candidates, there were 92 PTI-backed members. PTI announced joining hands with Majlis-i-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM), which could provide them a share in the women and minorities seats.

But MWM won only one general assembly seat from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. So, PTI would only get 10 reserved seats allocated to women from KPK.

Article 51(3) of the Constitution provided 32 women reserved seats in Punjab, 14 in Sindh and four in Balochistan. The seats would be distributed based on general seats won by parties in each province. However, in case of minority seats, Pakistan has been considered a single constituency and 10 are allocated as per the constitution.