Shehbaz set to play his ‘political cards’ to pull PML-N out of crises

Sources say winning over disgruntled leaders, seat adjustments and anti-PPP electoral alliances on the cards

KARACHI: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has started to make use of his ‘political cards’ in a bid to pull his party out of crises and prepare for upcoming elections.

Sources said that winning over disgruntled leaders, seat adjustments and anti-PPP electoral alliances and organisational work along with public contact campaign were among strategies being considered by the PML-N head.

Detailed consultations between Shehbaz and his elder brother Nawaz Sharif have taken place, in which the deposed PM fully supported the former in some of his decisions regarding the party. It has been learnt from an important source of PML-N that Shehbaz Sharif has taken control over the party affairs and also trying to assert him in the national politics.



After taking Nawaz Sharif into confidence, Shehbaz met Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan many times. Playing his first political card, the CM Punjab has almost convinced Nisar to become active once again. In this regard he has also persuaded Nawaz Sharif to meet the former interior minister so that the differences and distance between the two can be removed.

Shehbaz is also in contact with other disgruntled leaders and lawmakers and positive results are expected in this regard.

After having visited Karachi on his first tour, Shehbaz is set to make a second tour to the city on April 22. During this tour, he will meet MQM, ANP and other like-minded parties to form an anti-PPP political and electoral alliance.



PML-N has decided that in order to give the PPP a tough time, it will become a part of the grand democratic alliance. Along with Shehbaz, Nawaz will also meet Pir Pagaro and JDA leaders.

Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to Sindh will meet the important political families and personalities. Apart from this, Shehbaz Sharif will also visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. The PMLN has also decided to form coalition with MMA for the general elections 2018. Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif will soon meet the MMA leadership regarding this matter.

After reorganisation of the party leadership in Sindh, the party setup of other provinces will also be revised and the active members will be granted leadership in the party. PMLN sources have stated that after the caretaker government, Shehbaz Sharif will actively play his innings within the party and will also run the party's electoral campaign.

PMLN sources have also stated that the party has decided its alternative strategy for general elections in case NAB references verdict comes against Nawaz Sharif. According to this strategy Shehbaz Sharif will head the party’s electoral campaign. He will supervise all political and electoral matters of the party. Shehbaz Sharif is trying that apart from party and political matters a better working relationship be formed among the party and establishment.



Shehbaz Sharif in this regard is trying to convince the party leadership for changing their policy statement with regards to the establishment and to adopt cold-political strategy.

Speaking to Express News, central secretary of PM-N Mushahidullah Khan said that party will probably form a coalition for seat adjustments with like-minded political parties in the upcoming general elections. He also told that the lacuna pointed out by opposition leader Khursheed Shah prior to the elections will also be explored by the party and if need the party will take this issue to the parliament for lawmaking.

Regarding the caretaker prime minister, he said that the PML-N is pondering over names of Justice (retd) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, Dr Ishrat Hussain and various others.

He said, “We’re trying that the issue of caretaker prime minister be solved among the prime minister and opposition leader.”