PDM resurrected

In a political plot twist, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday emerged as a leading contender to reclaim the reins of power, with his former coalition comrades – PPP, MQM, PML-Q, BAP, and IPP – once again rallying behind him.

The development came as his party chief, Nawaz Sharif, took a strategic backseat, nominating Shehbaz for the prime ministerial position and his daughter Maryam for the role of chief minister of Punjab.

A powerhouse gathering at PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat's Islamabad residence saw the heads of political parties, including Shehbaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, Khalid Maqbool Saddique, Chaudhry Shujaat, and Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani (representing BAP), along with IPP President Aleem Khan, uniting for a joint press conference.

They declared unequivocal support for Shehbaz and pledged to tackle the country's issues jointly as a coalition government.

While the power-sharing formula remained under wraps, the undertones of the press conference hinted at Asif Ali Zardari's prospects for the next presidency of the country.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, in an earlier announcement supporting the PML-N-led coalition, advocated for Zardari as the next president for the nation's betterment. The former foreign minister declared the party’s intent to abstain from government portfolios, though it seemed this position would be limited to ministries and advisories.

However, the conspicuous absence of three key players—Nawaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and Maulana Fazlur Rehman—from the press spectacle raised eyebrows. Nawaz Sharif, making a grand return after a four-year self-imposed exile, aimed for a record fourth term as prime minister, intending to steer Pakistan out of crises, per his party's narrative.

A notable of absence of Bilawal, who held a separate press conference in Islamabad following his party's CEC meeting, also did not go without notice. Similarly, the JUI-F chief, who led the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance that ousted the PTI government, was also missing.

PML-N sources whisper that Nawaz Sharif's decision to step back from the PM race wasn't entirely voluntary, hinting at unspecified external factors that influenced his choice.

The emergence of PDM 2.0, with Shehbaz Sharif at its forefront, did not catch seasoned political observers off guard. The political grapevine had long predicted the scenario well before the elections.

It is an open secret that Shehbaz Sharif's cosy rapport with the current establishment positioned him as the anticipated PM successor, irrespective of voting patterns.

Read more: PPP to support PML-N prime minister candidate, says Bilawal

Zardari holds out olive branch to PTI

Former president Asif Ali Zardari opened the press conference, announcing the joint decision of the parties to form a government to alleviate the crises facing Pakistan.

Acknowledging the challenges of reconciliation, Zardari stressed the need to involve even PTI in crafting a shared economic agenda for the country.

In the same breath, he expressed the parties’ support for Shehbaz Sharif in his endeavours for public service

He stated that the remarks made during the elections were intended for that specific stage, and now that the election phase is over, they will collaborate. He added that there were no ideological differences between them.

Meanwhile, MQM convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui stated that his party’s sole priority was Pakistan, and through constitutional cooperation, it aims to strengthen democracy.

He mentioned that they had supported Shehbaz Sharif in the past and pledged to continue supporting him in the future.

As for his part, Chairman Senator Sadiq Sanjrani, representing BAP, conveyed that his party president Khalid Magsi couldn't be present himself and instead asked him to attend. He, too, expressed support for Shehbaz.

IPP President Aleem and PML-Q President Chaudhary Shujaat also announced their endorsement of Shehbaz.

Shehbaz Sharif echoed Zardari's perspective of moving forward and putting electoral differences aside, adding that the parliament would be formed soon, and their primary focus was on the challenges that lie ahead.

He highlighted that addressing economic stability, reducing debt, managing inflation, and fostering growth are among the critical challenges that they are determined to address on a war footing.

The former premier expressed that the purpose of the gathering was to declare acceptance of the split mandate. He extended gratitude to all the party leaders for their support.

Referring to the press conference held earlier in the day, he mentioned that if PTI-backed independent candidates, whom his party is actively courting to strengthen its position, have a majority in the house, they should proceed to form the government.

In such a scenario, Shehbaz assured that they would gladly and willingly take their place on the opposition benches and fulfil their role.

Regarding a question about Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s absence, with whom the PML-N leadership had not yet held their first post-election meeting, he explained that Maulana was occupied with other engagements.

Responding to a question about his economic plan, given the historic inflation during his outgoing term and a rudderless approach to critical issues, Shehbaz Sharif proudly stated that their most significant achievement was steering the country away from bankruptcy.

In response to another question concerning PPP and their participation in the coalition government, the PML-N president mentioned the establishment of committees tasked with determining the rules of engagement.

Regarding the allocation of power, he clarified that decisions on who receives what would be made through consensus.

He declared Maryam Nawaz as the party's choice for the coveted slot of CM Punjab. When asked if Zardari would be the next president, Shehbaz, in a lighter vein, remarked, "We won't disappoint you."

Shehbaz extended another invitation to all for a charter for the economy and urged the promotion of a charter of democracy. He emphasised the need for everyone to set aside their differences for the betterment of the country.

Earlier today, Shehbaz conducted a press conference in which he commended the chief election commissioner, the armed forces, and Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa along with his bench for their handling of the allegedly 'tainted' elections on February 8.

Throughout his address, he reiterated PTI's accusations of "35 punctures" during the 2013 elections to challenge its credibility in claiming rigging in the 2024 elections.

He asserted that the 2018 elections were extensively rigged and despite their grievances, the party refrained from organising long marches or rallies and avoided causing damage to public or private property.

However, in making this claim, Shehbaz seemed to overlook the protest rally they organised against the election results in Islamabad and the numerous rallies and marches conducted by his party and its coalition partners throughout PTI's four-year tenure.

He recalled that all elections were rife with allegations of rigging, and this occurrence was not exclusive to the recent elections.

He questioned the possibility of rigging in this election by pointing out the losses of PML-N stalwarts from Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Abbottabad.

However, he expressed regret over the media, which, on the first night of the elections, he started shaping an impression in favour of independent candidates and against political parties despite only receiving 10 per cent of the results.

He said that they accept and respect the majority of independent candidates and invite them to make their own government by showing the majority, and if they don’t have the numbers then PML-N is the biggest party given that it has the support of other political parties that will form its government.

When asked about why his party was poaching PTI-backed candidates and engaging in horse trading, he said what is anyone, if independent candidates out of their free will join their party.

He had a long opening speech in the presser mostly against Imran Khan and his government. He termed Imran Khan a narcissist and fascist for not sitting with them even on the most important national issues.

Despite praising security agencies and ECP for holding free and fair elections, he did say that he heard stories that in K-P non-state actors wielding guns had taken over to ensure the victory of one party (PTI).

Shehbaz announced that they have a simple majority in Punjab while in the centre they have consolidated their number to 80.

He also dodged a question regarding a demand for a judicial commission to probe rigging to settle these allegations once and for all.

When asked if PML-N losing to PTI was a rejection of its narrative, he in a cryptic manner blamed rigging for it, saying that PML-N’s narrative lost its traction “when we were deprived of our seats in 2018”.

Shehbaz announced that Pakistan, will have to go for another IMF package almost immediately and that there was no escape from it.