Share this article
Print this page
Email a friend
- RSS
- Today's Paper
- Subscribe
- beta 2.0
High: 33°C
Low: 27°C
Alerts
The many faces of PML: Brothers Humayun and Haroon jumping ship to secure seats?
Sources say PML-N willing to ‘sell’ seats for Senate election.
Sources say PML-N willing to ‘sell’ seats for Senate election.
LAHORE:
Pakistan Muslim League (Likeminded) is likely to disintegrate as its two senior leaders – Humayun Akhtar and his younger brother Senator Haroon Khan – met with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif on Saturday and pledged their allegiance to the party while presenting some of their demands, sources told The Express Tribune.
According to sources, PML-N refused Akhtar a ticket to contest in elections from Lahore, but was asked to prepare from Faisalabad division, where his sugar mill is located in Sumandri.
Although Akhtar has agreed, he requested Sharif to ask Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to sanction development schemes for his new constituency.
The meeting with Sharif was arranged by Senator Ishaq Dar and was held at Rawind. Sharif’s political secretary confirmed the meeting, but said only current politics were discussed. Sources said that Haroon Akhtar demanded a Senate ticket as a technocrat, for which he has been asked to wait, but speculated that the PML-N might fulfill his demand.
Background of the meeting
Sources in both parties told The Express Tribune that before the start of the current sugar crushing season, both brothers have donated Rs50.5 million to the party funds on behalf of the sugar mills association. They said that the brothers have considerable influence in the association.
However, Akhtar told The Express Tribune that he has handed over Rs100 million to Shahbaz Sharif for flood relief efforts, presenting it on behalf of the sugar mills association. He said their meeting with Sharif was to finalise an agreement on seat adjustments for the Senate election. To a query regarding the surety of his seat, he said he could not comment on it till the agreement was signed.
Sources said that Dar advocated Haroon’s case of being given a technocrat seat in the Senate, which has been deferred for some time due to his maternal uncle Farooq Khan, who is being considered for a Senate seat in the general cadre.
Punjab’s PML-N senators
Sources said that out of a total of 11 retiring senators from Punjab, the PML-N has a share of six and one was recently inducted in the non-Muslim seat. The break-up of PML-N’s senators is: four of general, and one each of lady, technocrat and non-Muslim.
A prominent official of PML-N told The Express Tribune that if Haroon Akhtar fails to get a Senate ticket, then his maternal uncle Senator Farooq Khan will most probably get it. Farooq Khan is the richest industrialist from Faisalabad division and has served as a PML-N senator in 1997.
Sources said the PML-N was willing to sell its seats for huge sums as it contests for the Senate elections. Out of PML-N’s four general seats, two are likely to be awarded to Senator Ishaq Dar and Sardar Zulfiqar Khan Khosa and the rest would be ‘sold.’
Bishop Alexander John Malik and Michael Nazir are the two top contenders for Senate seats of non-Muslims, while Haroon Akhtar is eyeing the technocrat seat.
PML (Likeminded)
PML (Likeminded) is a dissident group of the PML-Q in upper and lower houses and in some seats in the Sindh Assembly. Akhtar is its president while his younger brother Haroon is its active member in the Senate.
Although Akhtar is the president of PML (Likeminded), he has been inclined to support PML-N at each and every step. However, a large faction of the PML (Likeminded) did not agree with their stance and preferred to start talks of an alliance with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s leadership.
Of the two factions, one is led by Akhtar, while the other was led by PML-Q MPA Hamid Nasir Chatha and Khurshid Kasori. Kasori has joined the PTI against the wishes of his colleagues who wanted an alliance instead.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2012.
Reader Comments (29)
Latest News
KCCI president in US on official visit
Apprises citizens about investment opportunities in Pakistan.
Veena Malik is not my friend: Dolly Bindra
Veena Malik is in India due to her immoral acts, accused Dolly Bindra.
Next fiscal year: Govt likely to keep petroleum levy target unchanged
It will seek to collect Rs120 billion by increasing the levy.
Teamwork: Agri-university and Nestle join hands
Both will enhance cooperation to uplift Pakistan’s agri-economy.
Pakistani auto parts makers to take part in Dubai expo
Automechanika exhibition to host regional automotive aftermarket suppliers.
Recent Slideshows
More in Pakistan
PIC drugs tragedy: Amidst rising toll, a new controversy brews
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or derived from.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is copyrighted © 2012 The Express Tribune News Network.
Technical feedback? webmaster@tribune.com.pk
SENATE Tickets “for SALE”.
Reminds us of the Three Monkeys symbolizing “Don’t Hear, Don’t See, Don’t Speak” Vice. (about yourself). ALL IS WELL.
Recommend
No worries MNA’s are just cattle’s for the party heads, one goes another ready to come
Recommend
So PTI fans can now safely say that these two arent revolutionaries?
Recommend
Meeting between Rasheed Sheikh n Nawaz Sharif appears to be a reality now.
Recommend
senate seat for sale is not something new…everyone knows that each and every seat from FATA is sold….actually we are sold nation so technically such news shouldn’t disturb us…
Recommend
Well what an irony…PML N shouts that PTI is taking members from Musharraf team..and when you see this you feel Hypocrisy at its best..Humayan akhter was Trade minister of Musharraf and another person Zahid Hamid alos joined PMl N who was infact the Law Minister at the time of 3rd November emergency who signed that very Emergency document..and poisoned the judges…woooww..what a party of principles this N is..
Recommend
Now we understand that parties wants to get Senate elections before fresh general elections. To SELL their quota of seats
Recommend
@Tehreek-e-Insaf FATA:
Why don’t you think same when similar people join PTI.
Recommend
@Ahmed:
tehreek-e-Insaaf wont comment
Recommend
Never mind , slowly and gradually all thieves will be on ONE side and IMRAN KHAN on other (except few opportunists like Shah mahmood qureshi)
Recommend
not surprised
Recommend
big businessmen find politics a big business
Recommend
I still think it is different with Imran Khan. He does not need them and as long as an honest person like him heads a party there is little chance for any member to abuse his power. On the other hand Nawaz Sharif needs them and would be ready to fulfill their demands unconditionally if God forbid he comes into power. Imran was right when he said even if a team of angel like human beings is given a task and their boss is some corrupt leader, even the angels will fall.
Recommend
Money on the roll. Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink. Money here, money there, money everywhere, but the poor man is begging for meals.
“Out of nothing………….comes nothing.”
Salams to Pakistan
Recommend
ET,
What are the sources that establish that senate seats are being sold?
Recommend
Main’s (PMLN) Principled Politics, what a joke
Recommend
@Ahmed:
PTI has no Seats in any Assembly. So NO QUESTION of selling SENATE Seats.
@Colonel:
Gotcha. Sorry. :(
Recommend
@Colonel:
PTI have the higher moral ground Colonel – everyone knows that.
These two brothers are supposed to be educated but, alas, they are out to serve themselves, not the people.
Recommend
PMLN at its best ie sale and purchase of political loyalties!!!
Recommend
Humayun Akthar and his brother are just the visible face of our political-cum-landed-cum-business class, there must be many, many more who are not visible. Our ‘democratic’ structure is carefully crafted by them in order to ensure that they remains in power.
The beneficiaries of a democratic system should be the people but instead it this lot – something most certainly is wrong.
Recommend
how many dollars that sharif brothers need , they have billions of dollars still they are selling poor people vote.God prevent Pakistan from these hungry and corrupt politician further.
Recommend
No surprise. This is principles politics of Mr. Sharif. Imran’s revolution is already exposed by sheltering dictators hawks in his party and now Mr. sharif’s principles politics….! No lesson learnt.
Recommend
@Ahmed:
this propaganda of lotas is done by pmln and they still do it despite the fact that most of the pmlq has joined pmln
Recommend
shift Policy; Nawaz sharif meet Hamayoun akhtar and his bro senator haroon akhtar, Humayan was very close to musharaf also willing to become PM but chudhary of gujrat shatterd his plan, history shows that Hamayon son of Former ISI chief never loyal with party but despite this he again backing in party ,, Reason only 1 Akhrar brothers richest industrialist and known opportunist, it is also imp to mention that newly emerging party PTI also adopting same line , instead of giving preference they now give imp to richest person… am waiting when these party wl gve impotence to common and middle class political workers…
Recommend
The two brothers got the money from the funds provided by the CIA and the Saudis during the first Aghan War. Their father looted the money and now behave as if they are billionaires because they worked hard for it.
Recommend
Imran Khan we are thankful to you for providing CHANGE , there was time when Nwaz Sharif was so arrogant and stating he will not entertain any turncoat but there is a time when he is welcoming all turncoats. Who brought this change, tell me who.
He is forced to change his approach and behavior, now he will give respect to his party leaders and workers and welcome leaders of other parties.
Thanks Imran Khan for this CHANGE.
Recommend
The difference between this and how other have have joined PTI…is that PTI is not “selling” its seats.Recommend
@ colonel
Every party has right to strengthen its ranks and PMLN is no different and PTI also does the same..i just wonder why you always compare every move with PTI????
once there was a young man who joined politics and joined Tehreek E istaqlal then jumped ship into Zias UNELECTED punjab cabinet and then joined Muslim league Junejo group and then with the help of ISI made IGI and then ended up with PMLN….Tell me if above is not true???
So Chill Rakhooo coz every time i read Tribune you are up against PTI and i was wondering how much time you spend on this website :D
Recommend
Wonder what would happen if the media report turns out to be untrue and they join PTI instead.
The people cursing here would be declaring the same as revolutionaries.
Recommend