'King's Party' loyalty to government shaky

The Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PML-QA), the so-called 'King's Party', has proved that it is not "totally loyal" to the regime, according to sources close to official quarters.

With no government formed as yet, there are already indications that the PML-QA may be preparing to show its independence.

Well-placed sources say problems are surfacing over elections to the Senate, and the PML-QA could get out of an understanding that it would back Pervez Musharraf's men for these slots.

Instead, the party which has already reached its own agreement on places in the Senate with some groups, including the Grand National Alliance, has said it will have to decide on this after internal meetings.

In particular, the PML-QA is not giving an open nod to a Senate place for Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, one of President Pervez Musharraf's blue-eyed boys, or Commerce Minister, Razzak Dawood.

Sources say the military regime wanted to ensure a continuation of policies both in the Senate and possibly also in the federal cabinet.

The finance ministry is one of the most coveted posts in the cabinet and it would appear that the PML-QA is not willing to give it up to a candidate of the regime.

An additional complication has been caused by the fact that many of the agreements between the PML-QA and the authorities were reached with Mian Azhar, who though still party leader, is believed to be in an increasingly weak position.

The issue of Senate seats is said to be only one in a series of differences opening up between the PML-QA and the administration. Official sources say there is quite a lot of concern that if these attitudes continue, it could lead to more problems.

It is believed the administration had expected the PML-QA to be a totally compliant force. This, however, has not proved correct, and with power seemingly within reach, the party seems eager to exert its own independence. "This is similar to situations that have arisen in the past, and it seems they may arise again," stated a source.

The administration is said to be busy working out these points with the PML-QA leadership.

However, there is a degree of uncertainty over even whether the agreements reached will be honoured once power is handed over to a new government, while some sources within the PML-QA say there is a lot of talk on how to deal with the military regime later on.

A key aspect of this is the reforms introduced by Musharraf. Though the PML-QA earlier stated that it backed them, there is now some indication that within the party, they are those who advise that the amendments that bog down a prime minister be done away with.