PML-N seeks new allies in South Punjab

ISLAMABAD: The prime minister was in Multan on Tuesday to flag off the metro bus. But his sojourn had more to it. Nawaz Sharif wanted to strengthen the ruling party’s presence in southern Punjab in the face of an increasingly hostile opposition. Of late, the PPP and PTI have used the dirt-poor region to rally support against the Sharifs and dent the PML-N in its stronghold of Punjab.

Aside from metro bus inauguration, Premier Sharif conferred with senior leadership of the ruling party on the political situation in South Punjab, especially on its efforts to reach out to ‘likeminded’ politicians to neutralise opposition parties, The Express Tribune has learnt. “There is more to the story than meets the eye,” says a source privy to the premier’s itinerary.



Recently, the PML-N tasked its provincial leaders with winning over ‘likeminded influential’ politicians in southern Punjab. The move, insiders say, came after a top PML-N stalwart from Dera Ghazi Khan, Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa, and his family reportedly decided to jump ship to join hands with Imran Khan.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s plans to launch an anti-government campaign in Punjab and his Lahore-Faisalabad rally have also added to the PML-N’s concerns. South Punjab has been a PPP stronghold where it still has stalewarts the likes of Yousaf Raza Gilani, Latif Khosa and Makhdoom Ahmad Mahmood among others. Similarly, the PTI also has a considerable presence in Multan as its Vice Chairman Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi belongs to this district.

PML-N sources argue that although the ruling party doesn’t face any imminent political threat in South Punjab, it is taking precautionary measures just in case. “The Panamagate case, hostile statements of PPP and PTI leaderships and pending issues with the security establishment necessitated that we took some precautionary measures in our power bastion by consolidating our strength in the areas that are politically challenging like Southern Punjab,” one source said.

According to sources, Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif, Law Minister Rana Sanullah and Governor Rafique Rijwana briefed Premier Sharif on the progress made in mobilising support in Southern Punjab.



He was informed that PTI’s renegade president Javed Hashmi was willing to support the PML-N on political issues without joining the party. Insiders say the N-League has been trying of late to win over Hashmi who enjoys considerable clout in Southern Punjab in general and in Multan in particular.

When approached Hashmi evaded a direct reply. “I believe in politics of principles. If I think the PML-N’s stance on an issue is based on principles, I would definitely put my weight behind it. But if things look otherwise, I’ll speak accordingly. I have no plans to join the PML-N,” he told The Express Tribune.

The party has also assigned its office-bearers in South Punjab to reach out to public representatives in the areas where opposition parties have a strong presence by initiating populist schemes to win public support. “Money makes the mare go,” a PML-N leader summed up the policy.

Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, however, said the PML-N, being Pakistan’s largest party has a huge support base everywhere. “The Pakistani public is fond of the PML-N on account of our efforts to change their lives for good. So, if anybody supports us, it’s but natural. Public can’t help it,” he told The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th, 2017.