Last week witnessed new moves and counter-moves on the political chessboard of Pakistan. A meeting of major political parties was held in Islamabad in a bid to form a new alliance to  give a hard time to the government.

It may be noted here that in April last year too the PTI formed a multi-party opposition alliance named Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan, comprising Sunni Ittehad Council, Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, Balochistan National Party-Mengal, Jamaat-i-Islami, and Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen.

About the new grand alliance, PTI officials said it would be steered by Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. This decision was taken after major opposition parties gathered at the residence of former speaker Asad Qaiser in Bani Gala to discuss the latest political situation in the country. The meeting was attended by PkMAP head Mr Achakzai, JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, SIC chief Hamid Raza, MWM leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, NA opposition leader Omar Ayub, and others.

According to knowledgeable sources, Mr Abbasi has been tasked to head the steering committee to bring all parties on one platform against the government because the former premier is not a controversial figure and is held in high regard by all. After the meeting, a joint declaration was issued demanding fresh elections in the country, since the present ruling alliance at the center is an “unrepresentative government” that has been imposed on the masses.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former prime minister and the head of his own Awaam Pakistan Party, made this announcement to the media, saying “The meeting agreed that fresh elections are the only way to steer the country out of grave problems including political instability, economic degradation and terrorism.” Abbasi said the meeting agreed that ongoing fascism and state repression in the country should come to an end immediately and all political prisoners should be released. He also demanded that the black laws like PECA (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act) should be repealed.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, speaking on the occasion, said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has failed to hold transparent elections. He pointed out that the five-year constitutional tenure of the present Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja ended last month but he was still continuing in his office, reflecting the intention of the powers that be. He asked the Chief Election Commissioner and other two members of the ECP who had completed their tenure to step down morally, so that a  new impartial and powerful Election Commission could be constituted, enjoying the confidence of the nation.

The Sharif government has been quick to respond to the new opposition move. Just two days after leading opposition parties met to press their demand for fresh elections, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, sensing a new threat to his incumbency, met JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in an attempt to keep the latter on his side and dissuade him not to join any anti-government coalition.

Although the official statement said PM Shehbaz had met Fazl to inquire about his health, the real purpose was tell-tale. It was to win the support of the Maulana for his government.

It is quite obvious that the new grand alliance has been initiated by the PTI which is facing a hard time because of the repressive policies of the government. It has been calculated that if a strong street movement is to be launched, the backing of Maulana Fazl and his party is a must. It is relevant to mention here that in the past Maulana Fazl had played a key role in bringing down the PTI government, and it was with his support that the present regime came to power.

Maulana Fazl is an astute politician and he is aware of the power he wields. His role has been crucial in making and unmaking governments in the past. But the question is: what decision will he take in the present circumstances? Will he agree to join the new grand alliance and on what terms?

An indication of which way the tide will turn was given by a JUI-F leader who in response to a question by a media person said, “Our principled position on the theft of the mandate is not a bargaining chip to seek any offers from the government”. When asked if Maulana could play the role of a mediator, he responded in the negative.

But nothing can be said with a degree of certainty about what decision Maulana Fazl will take in the end. He closely watches the interest of his party and he is not the one to throw a loose ball. His past record shows that in the course of political negotiations with friends and foes he always manages to increase his share in power. This time too he will assess what is in the best interest of his party: joining the new alliance or playing a balancing game?