Pakistan

New alliances: For the PML-N, it’s open season on negotiations

PML-N in talks with MQM; optimistic about a ‘grand opposition alliance’.

Express July 03, 2011

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has set its political dealings in high-gear, and is negotiating on various political fronts.

The PML-N and PML-Q’s breakaway faction PML-like minded are all set for a political embrace as the PML-N steps up its campaign to retain its dominant position in Punjab.

Both PML-N and the like-minded leaders have confirmed that the two parties could finalise an alliance as early as the beginning of September, soon after Eid.

In addition, the PML-N claims it has received a positive response from the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and has also begun talks with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

The like-minded group, led by former federal ministers Humayun Akhtar, Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri and Salim Saifullah, has a formidable strength of five senators plus four more breakaway PML senators in Senate, while seven to 10 MNAs support the group in the National Assembly.

“We’re closely cooperating with the PML-N in Senate and the recent elections of a leader of the opposition in Senate are a testimony to that,” Like-minded leader Salim Saifullah Khan told The Express Tribune from London.

“We agree with the PML-N on a minimum possible agenda – to get rid of the Zardari-led government and get the country back on track,” Saifullah added.

After Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) joined the ruling coalition with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a significant faction within the party – both in Punjab and at the federal level – broke into a pro-PML-N faction that referred to itself as the ‘Likeminded group’.

The Shahbaz government in Punjab also boasts of the strength of around 47 like-minded MPAs who are supporting the PML-N in Punjab.

PML-like-minded leader Haroon Akhtar confirmed talks of a possible alliance and said that although a formal electoral alliance is a bit far-fetched, the general understanding on issues and strategies in the national assembly and Punjab assembly can act as a foundation for both parties to forge a formal alliance on.

“The matter has been referred to a committee, which will decide the modalities of the alliance. There are matters which need attention, such as the electoral seat adjustments, which will be decided after Ramazan by the committee,” said Akhtar.

“In the Senate, four senators who broke away recently from PML[Q] have also joined hands with us and in the National Assembly there are three MNAs, who, although have not separated publicly, are supporting us,” said Akhtar.

Following these political developments, there is a sense of accomplishment and triumph in the PML-N.

“We are close to sealing a deal with the like-minded. There are no contentious issues to solve, just modalities, which would be finalised very soon,” said Senator Pervez Rashid. “We have no reservations over the MQM and JI joining us in this struggle against the present PPP-led government,” he added.

The PML-N’s eponymous chief Nawaz Sharif also said that his party’s reservations against any other political party of the opposition will not hamper the formation of a grand alliance if all other opposition parties got together on a minimum agenda of ‘getting rid’ of the government – a hint towards a possible opposition alliance with the MQM.

Senator Rashid said that they have received “good vibes” from the JI and have started talks with the MQM. “So there are clear chances of a grand alliance emerging from the opposition,” said Rashid.

However, he said that his party does not plan to hold talks with Tehrik-e-Insaf at the moment.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2011.

COMMENTS (27)

Salman | 12 years ago | Reply @Hassan: Good effort to convince Khalid, but for people still riled up in ethnicities it will make little difference. Whole of South Asia is still mired in biradaries, zaats, caste, religious, and linguistic groups and it is all too evident around election times. They need to start looking for performance. When people look at Karachi, willingly or grudgingly, they acknowledge that MQM delivered in terms of reasonable governance and superb infrastructure development. And they seem to be moving away from their record of high handedness of 80s and 90s.

Hassan | 12 years ago | Reply @ Khalid You are still looking at Karachi's politics through the prism of ethnicity, it is not anymore so. People vote for all parties regardless of race now. Malir district was created by PPP on basis of language, it has no separate status. PML-N is almost non existent in Karachi, it is divided, has 2 groups of leaders that run parallel parties and are constantly fighting each other. JI on the other hand keeps shooting itself in the foot. As far as its vote bank in Karachi is concerned, that has whittled down to no more than 20,000 in different areas. If you look at Malir now, MQM is by far the dominant party. All nationalities vote for it, support it. When this halqabandi was done in 2002, population of Malir was one third of the population of central districts but now with increased migration, it has quadrupled. It will be very difficult for any single party to defeat MQM in majority of Karachi's seats. Not only in Urdu speaking areas but all areas. MQM does work, so it gets votes from all ethnicities.

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Mirza | 12 years ago | Reply @Zafar: Irrespective of which party you belong to, you comments are simple but tell a lot. Since in many areas if you do not go and vote your vote is either wasted or worse somebody would see it is not cast and would cast. By not going to polls people are endorsing and promoting corruption. Then they complaint about corruption and overthrowing the elected govt. In Pakistan people do not have much civic training and they do not realize their voting powers. I can guarantee that some opportunist parties would oppose the idea but the voting should be made mandatory. This would end the bogus voting and make people realize the value of their powers. There is a valid excuse in Pakistan for not voting. Many times it does not matter who you vote for, the military does not care and the results are meaningless. I have never missed even a local unimportant election in the US. When I go and vote, I feel great that I am making a difference and my vote means something. About 15 years ago I went on a business trip to India. When I checked in at a hotel in Haiderabad they asked me whether I want a liquor license. I laughed and said no but being curious, I asked why do I need a license for liquor? They told me it has been banned in that state, not because of religious reasons but due to the demand of women voters in the state. Some of their husbands used to get drunk mistreat them and not go to work and even snatch their money too. I realized the poor not highly educated labor class women’s power in a democracy and that they know how to use it to their advantage.

Meekal Ahmed | 12 years ago | Reply Would you buy a used car from this person?

Zafar | 12 years ago | Reply It has been great to follow this discussion ... I would also like to share an important thing ... I remember the elections in 2008. I had not gone to cast my vote and the reason was "fear". I have realized after that this fear is shared by most of us in one form or the other. At that time it was commonly believed that Pervaiz Musharaf had already fixed the elections with the establishment hence there will be no difference if you vote or not. It was this fear that stopped me from going to polling station. The most strange thing was that my vote still cast even in my absence. When I pursued it further I came to know if you don't go for vote it is very much likely that your vote will be cast especially in the case if one has your NIC copy. This led to a deep regret inside me. I might not be aware of the significance of casting a vote but now I know what could be the outcomes if I don't vote. We live in a society of great culture, values, traditions etc which binds us together and yields a solid platform for people to interact, care and respect. I now understand the impact of my vote to the people whom I interact. Certainly a large portion of such people must have gone to vote with me easily. It could have cost me nothing. This is another outcome of not casting a vote. Moral: Value your vote and cast it at any cost.

Khalid | 12 years ago | Reply @Mirza As a matter of fact no party can win up to 172 seats alone.It has to be a coalation government in centre.I agree with ur point regarding ppp n pagaro league, but I have serious doubts over mqm winning in majority in urban centres of sindh.Mqm with the the help of musshraf almost denied non urdu speaking the power vote in last election.I gave u an example.Malir district of karachi has more or almost the same population as compared to central urdu speaking district of karachi but has only one or 2 national assembly seat as compared to 5 national assembly seats.This is very unfair.Majority of punjabis,saraiki and hazara speaking lives in malir and they have no say in national assembly,that is why I am saying that pmln with Ji can win seats in good numbers in karachi.

Mirza | 12 years ago | Reply @Khalid: Dear Khalid, I hear you. However, your analysis has many ifs and buts. After Amir Khan's inclusion in the MQM, there are no more H groups. There is no way that any party other than PPP, MQM and a few Pir Sahib's area; no other party can win even a single seat in the whole of Sind. If Imran Khan shows any strength, PML-N is doomed even in upper Punjab and KP. It is not surprising that PML-N is desperately looking for allies. Here is my prediction for the records: unless PML-N forms an alliance with all the right wing parties (which it usually does as the only option) it has no chance to emerge as a national party, let alone as a majority party! Thanks and regards, Mirza

Hassan | 12 years ago | Reply @ Ahmed Those were the views of one man NOT all of MQM. And he apologised soon after

grinz09 | 12 years ago | Reply @Ahmed: Apology was tendered within 24 hours!

Faisal | 12 years ago | Reply We expect MQM to act with maturity, this is year 2011, not 1987. Nawaz league have too many issues for the liking of liberal, educated and middle class tax payers in Karachi. Opposition is fine, but who says you need to be in an alliance to be effective. The only natural ally of MQM is PTI and they will be in the parliament after next election.

Khalid | 12 years ago | Reply @Mirza Sir ji Pmln & JI are natural allies.Their alliance can win in Peshawer,Noshera,Dir,Shangla,Swat,Kohat,Lakki,Karak & hazara division.Pmln vote will not be divided in punjab if they make electoral alliance with JI.Even in sindh urban PMLN,JI,JUP and MQM(Afaq group) can win upto 10 seats(Karachi &hyderabad) if they make alliance.If sherpao joins this alliance they even can win all seats in Swabi,bannu and charsdda.Ur comment about south punjab may be correct where pmln is relatively weak but that was because of pmlq.In next election pmln will put up a good show in 48 saraeki dominent seats.In baluchistan pmln has vey good understanding with all regional parties there n there is a chance that pmln and its baloch allies will win majority of 14 national assembly seats.Just wait n watch regards Khawaja S Khalid

Qasim | 12 years ago | Reply When will our politicians learn lessons from history? They continue to indulge in mud-slinging, leg pulling, embracing bitter enemies they were abusing in vulgar language only recently with the sole objective of attaining power. It is even more disgusting when both parties have been victims and tasted the harsh realities of grand alliances. When will they grow-up?

zia ur rehman | 12 years ago | Reply WIKI-LEAKS??????

Samad Ali | 12 years ago | Reply PML-N should have made these alliances 2 years back and got rid of this inept and corrupt government. PML-N should make alliance with MQM and allow MQM to expand and be national party. At present and in future NO single party can win enough seats to be sole ruling party in the country.

Mirza | 12 years ago | Reply Very mature analysis and good points. Pakistani people are smarter than most people think. The country is not the personal property of any political party or group. The elections are a sieving action and slowly it sieves out the bad actors, like the example of S. Rashid, you quoted. There is a famous saying in the US perhaps coined by an ex-speaker of the US house, Tip O’Neil. He used to say that “all politics is local”. There have been popular leaders in US congress but they lost their seat in the constituency they represented, in spite of their popularity at the national level. When they had no seat in the congress then they could not be leader of the house/senate or speaker. There is a similar phenomenon with leader like Imran Khan and now Mush. They may have pockets of popularity but do they have enough constituencies for their party to carry the elections? The best thing that can happen in Pakistan is several consecutive elections to bring the true leadership out from the grassroots and not from the top down. There is no magic in India or Bangladesh, except the continuous uninterrupted democracy. It did not eliminate all corruption and poverty, but it sure keeping them safe and moving in the right direction. We have put up with dictators like Ayub then Yehya for well over a decade, then the same with worst dictator and Islamist Zia, and ultimately with Mush. Why do we not have patience for elected govt and want to change it before its fair and genuine elections? Compared to the above dictators, the courts are free and independent to the extent of anti govt, the constitution is restored not mutilated, provinces are given more autonomy, opposition leaders are not in jail, and the media is free. I am not saying that everything is great, but during the state of war, a bad democracy is better than best dictatorship. Thanks and regards, Mirza

Zafar | 12 years ago | Reply The politics played by these parties is absolutely out-dated. The are not aware of the ground realities and the changes that have come up over a period of last few years into the minds of individuals in our society. The independent movements of judiciary and media in particular have impacted hugely in terms of national conscience. It is usually believed that people who attend a specific congregation for one party will vote for it. This is no more true as can be vividly seen during the 2008 general elections. The PML-Q and Pervaiz Musharraf claimed to have strong support of the people by holding large political gatherings. What turned out in the elections was quite opposite as everyone know now. The lion of Rawalpindi Mr. Sheik Rasheed Ahmed the unbeatable for consecutive five years lost the battle not once but twice although people in the town had been once crazy for him in recent past. These are few recent examples of the maturity level in common man. There is still more to be done to educate people in order for them to take a stand against such people but undoubtedly the situation is not the same as was it in the past.

Ahmed | 12 years ago | Reply @salmam pml n only used foul language against mqm and its leaders not aginst urdu speaking people while mqm lashed out at entire punjabi people. There is a appology in order. If they are so childish to have these tirades may be they should not be taken seriosly after all.

John | 12 years ago | Reply It took three and a half years for Mr NAWAZ SHARIF to think that an allied opposition be made.what was he doing all these years? can anyone tell me where are we heading?

Salman | 12 years ago | Reply @ Sarmad: Yes, MQM made a statement like that in a fit of anger after being provoked by PMLN who called them names too. It was a political tit for tat spat, do not make it an MQM-Punjabi feud. Punjabis are close to 2/3rds of Pakistan and calling them names is equivalent to insulting 2/3rds of Pakistan. Also, the common Punjabi is not the same as the ruling class Punjabi. So do not blow MQMs childish tirade out of proportion and take it as it was meant and do not sow seeds of inter-provincial hatred. Punjabis are also viewed by the rest of the nation as a people with a large heart and love and compassion.

Mirza | 12 years ago | Reply "Sharif said he is ready to support any grand alliance" Said Nawaz Sharif. He would make alliance with Taliban, Mullahs and even Lucifer to gain power. PML-N and its leaders are political offspring of “great general Zia”. They have started for there and never left the extreme Islamist ideology. The only reason they have a grudge against Gen Mush and the army is not on principles but due to the personal dislike of Gen Mush. The dislike is not based upon principles but due to the fact that Gen Mush has tamed NS like a poodle and packed him away twice from Pakistan. As the history can testify, NS and PML-N is always going to make an alliance with the extreme fundamentalist parties like JI, and ISI sponsored groups. Even with those alliances Sharifs have no chance in Sind, KP, GB, Southern Punjab and Baluchistan. They have many skeletons in their closet and many cases of corruption are pending without hearing against them. Sharif’s party is strong only if they are in power. Whenever they were out of power most of its members deserted them and joined the govt. PML-Q and others are examples of that. Sharifs are not going to go for early elections by agitation. They have PPP cooperation for their minority govt in Punjab, which is most of Pakistan. The moment they try to wheel and deal in the national assembly to change PPP majority, their majority in Punjab would be gone. The lotas which are now with Sharifs would not be so sharif when offered a better deal by the PPP. They are not called lotas for nothing. By all this alliance talk, Sharifs want to impress upon their increased street power, so that their minority govt in Punjab is not disturbed.

W.A | 12 years ago | Reply Next step------ He is going o welcome Zardari and PPP

Ahmed | 12 years ago | Reply @sarmad bajwa its not against punjabis its against sindhis as well

controlled missile | 12 years ago | Reply well,its good move by PML N .but don,t forget that both these sharif brothers never took a stand which is against their own interests.

Usman | 12 years ago | Reply A very sensible move. Has PML-N played its card wisely in past, we would have got rid of this government 06 months back.

sarmad bajwa | 12 years ago | Reply bad move nawaz.mqm was screaming that punjabis have a mujra in every house and now you are making them allies? how could pml-n do this,mqm is a very racist party built upon hatred of punjab and punjabis.

Numair | 12 years ago | Reply Thank God. PML (N) on a positive stance, its good

Numair | 12 years ago | Reply Thank God by taking a positive step by PML (N)

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