Nawaz meets old foe Shujaat -- finally

Rendenzvous comes after hiatus of 14 years ahead of polls

LAHORE:

PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, who has engaged with various party leaderships since his return from London in October, finally made a visit to the residence of PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat on Wednesday.

Nawaz’s visit to the Lahore residence of the PML-Q chief -- whose party played an instrumental role in forming the PML-N led coalition government that remained at the helm of affairs for 16 months -- came after a hiatus of nearly 15 years.

Besides PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, other key leaders of the party, including Maryam Nawaz, Rana Sanaullah, Ayaz Sadiq and Azam Nazeer Tarar were also present. On the PML-Q side, Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, Tariq Bashir Chema, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, and Shafay Hussain participated.

The rendezvous, which lasted for approximately 40 minutes without any media interaction, leading to rumours of PML-Q eyeing about ten national and a dozen provincial seats from the PML-N.

Read more: PML-N, ANP leaders defect to PML-Q

However, the rumours were promptly dispelled by Shujaat's son, Shafay Hussain, who clarified an existing agreement between the parties, revealing that an understanding rested upon four National Assembly and eight provincial assembly seats.

He further clarified that the primary intent of the visit by PML-N leaders was to inquire after the veteran politician’s health.

During the meeting, according to PML-N presser, “Nawaz Sharif had expressed genuine concern for Chaudary Shujaat Hussain well-being and conveyed his heartfelt good wishes.”

The press release also mentioned an inclusive and diverse dialogue that occurred during the brief meeting.

Once bitter rivals, the ice between the two parties thawed in 2022 when PML-N approached PML-Q with a request to support their multi-party alliance, in centre and ditch its allies also its benefactor, PTI, with whose support it had secured five national and ten provincial seats.

PML-Q’s decision to side with the coalition led to its dismemberment, after a large faction led by Chaudary Pervez Elahi initially decided to stand by PTI in a capacity of a party and later formally joined the PTI along with all the 9 ex-MPAs, leaving remaining PML-Q in disarray.

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قائد پاکستان مسلم لیگ ن نواز شریف اور شہباز شریف کی چوہدری شجاعت حسین سے ملاقات۔۔۔ pic.twitter.com/UKdd2dffmh

— PMLN (@pmln_org) December 6, 2023

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Despite Pervez Elahi facing multiple charges of corruption and the aftermath of the 9 May incident, where supporting PTI or being associated with the party virtually became a cardinal, wheels of fortune turned in PML-Q’s favour.

Though, despite change in their fortune PML-Q still required a ride on coat-tail into national and provincial assembly, given its inability to win seats outside its stronghold in Gujrat, which is where PMLN support becomes crucial.

According to reports, PML-Q had sought for seats in Gujrat, Bhawalpur Mandi Bahauldin and Hafizabad.

As per the reports, a committee has been formed. However, there was no official confirmation from the PML-N.

Chaudary Shafay mentioned that any changes to the previously agreed seat adjustments could be considered after the election schedule is announced.

Also read: Will PPP, PML-Q and Tareen form an alliance?

The objective behind these meetings with all parties, excluding PTI and PPP, aimed to forge a grand alliance for the upcoming election.

Earlier last week, Chaudary Salik Hussain told the media that PML-Q would be fielding candidates on 6 to 8 NA seats and 12 to fifteen PA seats.

It is pertinent to mention here that former Governor Punjab Chaudary Muhammad Sarwar, who had joined PMLQ earlier this year, solely with the mission to revive the party, was not present during the meeting.

Rumours have been making rounds that Sarwar wanted to call it quits and leave PML-Q. However, Salik had last week dispelled rumours saying that he would resume political activities once he returns to Pakistan on 2 December.

Despite attempts to reach out to PML-Q leaders for comments, their response was not forthcoming.