PML-N leaves door ajar for PPP

Mushahidullah says PPP facing pressure to support PTI

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz that it now seems to have given up hope on forging any alliance with the Pakistan Peoples Party for the presidential contest, has reportedly decided to adopt an open door policy for future tie-ups even if the latter refuses to field a joint candidate, The Express Tribune has learnt.

“A divided opposition would only benefit the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf,” said the former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal reminding of a similar situation as witnessed during the prime minister and Punjab CM elections. He said that PML-N wants all opposition parties to unite and form one big front.



Iqbal also said that the party hopes to retain the alliance despite PPP’s change of heart during premiership poll. “We suggested to field JUI-F chief Maulana Fazulur Rehman, as he seemed to be an acceptable candidate for the ‘grand opposition’ especially to the PPP,” he stated further hoping that the PPP will act in the best interest of democracy and agree on fielding a joint candidate.

The PML-N leader said that in case the PPP agrees, the opposition has a better chance at bagging the Presidency. “PTI is heavily dependent on its allies and independents,” reminded Iqbal claiming that if the opposition joins hands it can sway the support of other lawmakers and turn the tide in its favour.

However, if PPP does not agree on fielding a joint candidate even then PML-N will try to keep the alliance alive and move forward with it. “Dividing opposition will dent PPP’s credibility,” he warned.

Meanwhile, Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan said that PML-N irrespective of alliance for presidential elections will continue to play the role of an elder brother.



“PML-N understands the pressure on the PPP,” jibed the PML-N leader, saying the latter is being ‘forced’ to facilitate PTI to refrain from any troubles in its government in Sindh. “The same pressure forced them to withdraw their support of Shehbaz Sharif at the last moment in the PM voting”.

The former Punjab minister Rana Sanaullah stated that PPP is not even a proper opposition party and only PML-N and its allies are the actual opposition.

He also said that presenting a joint candidate for the president’s post would symbolise a strong opposition, “otherwise what has our president [Mamnoon Hussain] done in the past five years that there’s would do”.