ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is making plans to join hands with other parties with upcoming general elections approaching.
The PML-N is contacting various parties not only to enter the echelons of power, but also to put a check on its archrival the Pakistan People’s Party. Sources told Pakistan Today that PML-N President Nawaz Sharif is trying to make room for his party in the Sindhi politics, which has always been a stronghold of the PPP.
Recently, the successful power show by Pakistan Muslim League-Functional leader Pir Pagara has forced Nawaz Sharif to contact him for establishing a strong alliance for the upcoming general polls.
The alliance would not only provide the PML-N a chance to knock at the doors of the PPP stronghold, but also bar the PPP from securing seats from Sindh in both provincial and federal constituencies.
Despite the recent appointment of Makhdoom Syed Ahmed Mahmood as the Punjab governor by the PPP-led federal government, PML-N sources confirmed that things have been settled between the PML-F and PML-N, adding that in the last week of December Pir Pagara would visit Lahore and would formally announce the alliance.
In Balochistan, the contacts between the PML-N and Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) have entered a final stage and mostly things have been settled down. It is likely that the two parties will emerge as allies to contest the upcoming general polls at provincial a level.
The Awami National Party, an old ally of the PPP, would form a coalition with the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and no PPP-ANP cooperation is expected for the general elections.
The PML-N is also in contact with the Baloch nationalist leadership. However, no productive outcome has been spotted so far.
In Punjab, sources said, the PML-N has decided to make seat adjustments in six constituencies with the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat – formerly known as Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan. On the other hand, the PML-Q (likeminded) is also girding up its loins to contest the upcoming polls while standing alongside the PML-N.
Dr Tahirul Qadri’s return has also rang alarm bells for Nawaz Sharif as Qadri either supports Imran Khan or the PPP. Dr Qadri has a considerable vote bank across the country, especially in Lahore. The Jamaat-e-Islami is facing opposition from inside over issue of developing an alliance with the PML-N. However, a majority of party workers are pressing the top leadership to join hands with the PML-N in Punjab and KP.
The PML-N has also contacted the Muttahida Deeni Mahaz (MDM), led by Samiul Haq, to counter Fazlur Rehman-led Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal in KP.
