ISLAMABAD:
Sensing an opportunity to gain significant ground in south Punjab and upper Sindh, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif is likely to offer former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi a “key slot” in his party when the two meet this week.
A PML-N insider told The Express Tribune on Sunday that Nawaz Sharif and other key leaders of the main opposition party were “desperate” for an opening in the remote southern parts of Punjab and upper Sindh and they believed that Qureshi was their best bet.
“Mian Sahib and the people he trusts have realised that an opportunity has come their way in the person of Qureshi … it looks like they will go to any lengths to grab it,” he said.
It is not clear what position Sharif would offer Qureshi. The PML-N is due to choose new office bearers for its Punjab chapter in a couple of weeks.
Qureshi belongs to Multan district in south Punjab, the so-called ‘Seraiki belt’ where the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has long overshadowed the PML-N. He quit both the PPP and his National Assembly seat a week ago, citing differences he had with President Asif Zardari earlier this year.
The former foreign minister is being wooed by both the PML-N and Imran Khan’s Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). But while Sharif is to meet directly with Qureshi on November 22, Khan is not scheduled to meet him before the former minister announces his political future at a public rally in Ghotki, Sindh, on November 27.
An associate of Qureshi told The Express Tribune that his meeting with Sharif would likely take place in Multan on Tuesday. MPA Abbas Raan said Nawaz’s youngest son Hassan Nawaz, had conveyed to family members of Qureshi his father’s desire to meet Sharif at the family residence in Multan, known as Bab-ul-Qureshi, Daulat Gate.
Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, a senior PML-N leader from Multan, backs Qureshi’s entry to the party, said a PML-N colleague of his. He said that Hashmi had opposed Qureshi quitting the PPP, but believed he would be an important leader for the PML-N.
Another associate of Nawaz Sharif said Hashmi had conveyed his support for Qureshi joining the party to the top PML-N leadership.
However, sources in the party said that there was still one hurdle to Qureshi being offered a significant position.
They said that the Khosa family of Dera Ghazi Khan, who have been allied with the Sharifs for a long time, would not like to see another major leader from the south Punjab region in a key position in the PML-N.
Sardar Zulfikar Khosa is president of the PML-N’s Punjab chapter.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2011.
COMMENTS (29)
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SMQ is smart fellow. He is still keeping his options open. Be it with PML N or with PTI. I think one thing IK must have learned and that is that in life nothing is done unless it is done, and in politics even done things are not done...
well he may have tons of meetings with the sharifs still he will never join them.secondly he is committed to join pti, so pml relax and try some other candidate.
power politics,, when his portfolio was changed, he resigned from ppp,, and now between pml (n) and PTI ,, who will offer him high status/ party position, he will join that party. it will not affect ppp. because ppp is not going to win next elections,,but shah mahood politics will be no more because,, whoever leaves ppp,, becomes zero.
SMQ - Bet on dark horse not on the one which would be 'Also Ran'.
Although a Wadera but highly educated & a refined person! I would like to see him as the PM or President of this country. We are proud of you!
I hope SMQ doesn't join PTI so it remains clean of waderas.
Please Mr.Qureshi, remain steadfast to your ideals. Please become a precedent to other politicians, do not affiliate yourself with a corrupt party that relies on demagogue politics. Nawaz has had his chances, has been responsible for the failure of our homeland.
Pakistan first, politics second. PTI genuinely offers a regime based on accountability.
Shows the man is confused.
Rajneeti - where the only rule is that there are no rules!!
@ Realist (ORIGINAL): Now that is what is called a news.Lets wait and see till 28/11...ghotki jalsa.
He's good at giving political bribes, we know.
Is it Raj Neeti.... ,, he just promise PTI that he will join them and now meeting with Nawaz... just to increase the rates,,,,, Really interesting and full of lessons for youth....
Rumors in the town are that he may be offered CM's seat!
InshAllah, PTI will win - Qureshi in it or not. Uptill now PTI has gained momentum without SMQ, it can still continue to gain strength. In fact, this old lot of typical politicians should be wiped out of our political scene and InshAllah, PTI will clean up this mess.
He will join that party which will give him power. Because such people can't live without power in life. Every politician wants to be next PM of Pakistan, but SMQ thinks that he is the most prominent person for that position.
Those of u who want to decide between PML N and PTI can start by just watching this programme.
http://www.zemtv.com/2011/11/17/to-the-point-pti-vs-pml-n-exclusive-with-shahzeb-khanzada-%E2%80%93-17th-nov-2011/
The only interesting part of our politics that is this electoral phase the close competitions , some times neck to neck marginal wins and upsets .some times too much dynamic scenarios in some constituencies.
Those who are sayinf that he will join PTI on moral base are thinking of SMQ very ethical and ideological politician. Though he is not as bad as others but still he is a member of traditional power politics. So, most probably he will join PML-N.
The PTI supporters are very simple and do not think politically. PTI supporters are new in politics and with the passage of time they will realize that how these old poltiicans play their cards.
It is advise that do not demoralized if SMQ does not join as it will not be the end of world. Look forward. It may be blessing in disguise.
Now lets see..Qureshi goes for typical seat baazi and get rotten or goes for a change thought of PTI....
Great men join great team. I wonder what the reaction of IKs fans would be when pmln sweep the elections! No offence to them or to imran khan, my respects are with him. but they think they already won the elections with a majority
I have always been saying SMQ is a politician......PMLN can offer him the most.....his obviously choice and place will be PMLN...just wait for 8 days as see for yourself.
power games...feeling like watching a movie... interesting :)