Shehbaz, Zardari oppose polls delay as PDM bigwigs discuss interim setup

With only four weeks left in the completion of the National Assembly’s term, political temperatures flared on Saturday as the vexed issues of seat adjustment and caretaker set-up ahead of the general elections took the centre stage, and parties kicked off politicking.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) patron-in-chief Jahangir Khan Tareen.

In a statement, the PML-N said that Zardari called on the premier at his residence in Lahore where the two deliberated over the country’s current political situation.

Well-placed party sources said that the leaders agreed to hold the next general elections on time while taking a firm stance that the polls should not be delayed under any circumstance. As for the caretaker set-up, the leaders decided on picking “a senior politician” instead of a bureaucrat as the caretaker prime minister.

Also read PML-N to field candidates in all Punjab constituencies, says Rana Sana

The caretaker prime minister is picked by the outgoing prime minister in consultation with the leader of the opposition.

In case, the prime minister and the leader of the opposition do not agree on any person to be appointed as the caretaker prime minister, within three days of the dissolution of the National Assembly, they shall forward two nominees each to a committee to be immediately constituted by the speaker.

The committee should comprise eight members of the outgoing National Assembly, or the Senate, or both, having equal representation from the treasury and the opposition. The committee members are to be nominated by the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, respectively.

Separately, the prime minister also visited Tareen and extended condolences over the demise of the IPP leader’s brother, Alamgir Khan Tareen.

According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s office, Shehbaz conveyed his deep sympathies to Tareen and his family during this difficult time. As a gesture of respect for the deceased, he prayed for the elevation of the late Alamgir Tareen's rank in the hereafter, and asked for divine strength and patience for the mourning family.

The meetings came hot on the heels of reactions of the PPP and the newly formed IPP after PML-N indicated that the party would be contesting the polls solo in Punjab, showing reluctance to go for a seat adjustment.

PML-N leader and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said during a press conference on Friday said there was a possibility that in constituencies where the party would need help — such as southern Punjab — there could be talks with other parties about seat adjustments.

“If a party talks about seat adjustment, our criteria would be that we would not compromise on our winning and dedicated candidates,” he had said.

Read more Govt’s tenure will end on August 14, says Shehbaz

The decision had triggered an acerbic response from PPP and IPP who asserted to flex muscles against the PML-N in the elections.

Meanwhile, the political landscape witnessed a flurry of activities, including a telephonic conversation between PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman meant to allay the latter’s reservations about key political decisions and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's meeting with PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari to discuss elections.

The assurance came in the wake of the Dubai huddle – taken place between PPP and PML-N leadership sans Maulana – that had touched a raw nerve with the JUI-F chief who, the reports claimed, was not invited as he was opposed to delaying the elections.

In order to soothe the nerves of the ruling party's ally with cracks beginning to emerge in the that is coalition heading towards polls, the former premier gave Maulana his word that no political decision would be taken without taking him on board.

During their conversation, sources said the two leaders exchanged views on the interim set-up as the 15th National Assembly’s tenure will end on August 12, sources shared and added Nawaz also assured Maulana of his commitment to keeping him informed and involved in crucial political decisions.

“We are still part of the PDM,” he was quoted as reaffirming their collective stance within the opposition alliance. Both sides also agreed to hold consultations on key political matters.