LAHORE: While Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son Abdul Qadir campaigns in southern Punjab, particularly Multan division, fresh-out-of-the-Pakistan Peoples Party Shah Mahmood Qureshi could be plotting the premier’s ouster. And his best bet to that end could be the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
In a meeting scheduled for today between Qureshi and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif in Raiwind, Lahore, they will discuss two strategies: a previously-discussed seat adjustment in the division and an alliance with a Qureshi-led breakaway faction of the PPP leaders from south Punjab.
“Qureshi’s main agenda with regards to seat adjustment, particularly in Multan, is Gilani’s removal from the country’s next parliament,” a source familiar with the matter said. Many serving PPP MNAs from South Punjab, who have expressed their support to Qureshi, have already met Nawaz to discuss seat adjustment in the division, the source added.
Confirming that support to a Qureshi-led group is being considered, a senior PML-N leader told The Express Tribune that although the process of a seat adjustment has begun, Sharif and Qureshi will contemplate which of the two strategies can weaken the PPP the most in South Punjab and interior Sindh – areas which are dominated by the ruling party.
Furthermore, said another source, Qureshi is likely to negotiate with Nawaz for the slot of chief minister of Punjab.
But PML-N’s central information secretary Mushahidullah Khan chose his words carefully when asked about the meeting. “It will be very significant and Qureshi will most probably join PML-N. In principle, we have decided to support Qureshi’s each and every move,” he said.
Seat adjustment
The Multan division has six National Assembly seats from NA-148 to NA-153, and with the proposed seat adjustment, PML-N aims to win four of these six in the next general elections.
According to the Qureshi-Nawaz assessment of the division, the four major players in the area are Gilani, Qureshi himself, PML-N’s Javed Hashmi and PML-Q’s Sikandar Bosan.
In the 2008 general elections, Qureshi and Hashmi had contested for the same seat – NA-148. Hashmi, however, also contested from NA-149 and won that seat but lost NA-148 to Qureshi. But for the next general elections, which will be Hashmi’s last according to sources, Nawaz has assured Qureshi that Hashmi will contest only from NA-149, leaving Qureshi as the only major contender for NA-148.
The other two seats that the PML-N is aiming for are NA-150 and NA-151, where Gilani had contested in 2008. In NA-150, PML-N’s candidate Rana Mehmoodul Hasan had defeated Gilani’s son Abdul Qadir and will hence contest from the same seat in 2013. In NA-151, Gilani had won against PML-Q’s Sikandar Bosan. But Bosan will contest from the seat for the next elections and has already expressed his support for Qureshi. However, Bosan was not available for comment.
The deal also states that Qureshi and Nawaz will support Bosan and Rana or whoever contests the election against Gilani in 2013.
Rest of the Multan division
At the remaining two seats, PPP’s MNA Liaqat Ali Khan (NA-152) is likely to join Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf while PML-Q’s MNA Dewan Syed Ashiq Hussain (NA-153) supports Gilani.
Both Liaqat and PTI’s Punjab president Ahsan Rashid confirmed that they were negotiating.
In Khanewal, Qureshi and Nawaz will field their mutual candidates on three NA seats as, according to their information, the Hiraj family will join PTI.
In Lodhran district, according to PML-N’s think tank, Kanjo family will be awarded tickets for two NA seats.
Bahawalpur division
According to sources, Qureshi and Nawaz have finalised their four candidates in Bahawalnagar district and will decide on who they will field in Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan districts.
Sources said that PPP’s former MNA Mian Mumtaz Matiana and former MPA Sufi Akram have already met Nawaz in Raiwind on November 19 and finalised their seats. Matiana, who is a close friend of Qureshi, will be awarded a ticket from NA-189 which is currently held by PPP MNA Mumtaz Alam Gilani.
PPP MNA from NA-190 Abdul Ghafoor Chaudhry, also close to Qureshi, has told Nawaz that his son, former senator Zafar Iqbal, will contest the 2013 elections in his place. But while sources said that Iqbal has already met Nawaz at the Punjab House to finalise his ticket, Iqbal himself said it was premature to comment on whether he had joined PML-N.
In NA-191, PPP MNA Muhammad Afzal Sindhu will be awarded a Senate ticket while Ejazul Haq an NA ticket. However, when contacted, Sindhu denied any such adjustment.
(Read: The Qureshi question)
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2011.
COMMENTS (50)
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I am confused. How can a person stand for 2 seats in an election; multiple personalities perhaps!
@salman
Performance of party in Punjab :)
What was the use of resigning from PPP if he had to join a similar corrupt and status quo party?
If he is joining pmln then why he resigned from ppp, from one corrupt party to an other, this shows his credibility, he is only seeking better chair, if khan assures him to give 2nd number in party he will come forward to pti, but we don't want such selfish ppl who are fighting for chair..
I am sorry for my stupid comments. The reality is that I live in a remote rural area and in those areas people support PML(N), PPP and PML(Q). I haven't met one Imran supporter who could fix my stupid thoughts., This is the reason why I am still far away from wisdom, sense and above all revolutionary thoughts. Unfortunatley I don't have resources nor aquaintances to visit defence societies and posh areas of cities, where thunder of revolution and winds of change are emerging. Beside wisdom and sense, I would also want to learn the tricks and magic that makes a salaried government employee or cricketer a billionier, when his earned income of life is hundreds of time less than what he owns now. I want to learn from them, how come a villager who toils day and night to feed nation, sends his sons to defend their cities and country is responsible for all the misfortune and destruction this country is going through. Most importantly I want to learn that how come a criminal, a corrupt, a tax evader, a defaulter, a match fixer can call himself patriot, revolutionary and possess guts to call others stupid and illeterate..
@usman zafar sahb, yes thats true, evrybuddy should be doing what they started... nawaz sharif and his forefathers were lohars so they can serve their country best in their own field.. in politics we have seen his two terms and have witnessed his hypocrisy in this govt, acting as a friendly opposition and when he saw imran khan getting stronger and stronger started protesting against the govt though he had categorically stated on many occassions that he will this democratic govt... actually he foresee loosing grip on ounjab and inshallah he will.
fyui
@ usman Zafar ~ are you sleeping what about the forward bloc that left PML-Q to join PML-N, dont just try to tell us that PML-N is not doing anything to come in power
Moreover stop giving your unlogic lame examples - like engineer cant do doctor work, what about you dont how to drive becuase you have never driven in your whole life. But you eventually drive when get the training and pass the tests.
Power Politics, unfortunately.
Forget about the seat adjustments...There is going to be only one winner & that will b from Pakistan Tehreek i Insaf..whoever joins that party..
People like SMQ change their loyalties too often and remain power hungry . Never liked him even before quitting the PPP government.Its better if he joins PML(N) and saves PTI and Khan the headache in case PTI gains some seats in the assembly . As for Sharif brothers, they will welcome their inclusion but at what cost? PML(N) is already filled with so-called stars like Javaid Hasmi, Khosa, Ishaq Dar etc. Look what they have done to Punjab. Forcing MSc pass youngsters to drive taxis. This is what their IQ level and contribution to the country all about. SMQ will be a perfect fit in this gang of thugs.
This should be a good lesson to the PTI for collaborating with mercenaries like SMQ. People like SMQ only look out for themselves.
NS could offer SMQ a big seat i.e. Foreign Ministery or CM of expected province ;)
NS can do what he desires but he should rest assured that PTI & IK is the future
@ Jhot Bolta. PTI are accepting those Former & Current MPA's MNA's which even PML-N have not accepted. These are Political Orphans which are the most corrupt and unacceptable to any party. Besides always remember The MPA's you are talking about were originally part of PML-N who were broken by Establishment during Musharraf Era. Again Establishment is playing it games for its own well being. Why Imran Khan met DG ISI ? He is not even part of parliament. If he is so clean why he is accepting those Like Mian Azar who left PML-N then PML-Q and now he has joined PTI. Even others Mostly who are joining PTI have left 2 or more parties. Nawaz sharif is constantly being victimized because he is Anti Establishment and he talks about Rule of Law and do politics of principle which establishment do not like. Where was Imran Khan when Judges were reinstated , It was Loin Like Nawaz sharif Who came out of his Den and Roared towards Islamabad
@Ch Allah Daad: That might be true during your youth years, its different nowadays. Accept it!
Clash of personalities could be the only reason which led Shah Mehmood Qureshi to go with N league rather than Imran Khan. Imran Khan doesn't take anyone's advise while SMQ wants central role in any party he wants to join.
This is conspiracy against PTI and not PPP who will surely lose the coming elections.
@Usman Zafar: why to all PML (N)'s supporters Pakistan means Lahore only?
Shah Mahmood is best fit for PTI .
haha...welcome to Pakistani politics PTI...!! ...PTI 'd be thinking what to offer now to SMQ...:d....
@Ch Allah Daad: those with pure intentions and a firm faith in the almighty do not despair, remain steadfast and hold tite the rope of truth and justice. Neither will I leave PTI as long as it is for Haq, nor do I expect Imran to give up his years of struggle for Justice. Even if he loses, even if PTI is made fun of, no one can doubt its intentions and above all, in the court of Allah, they will be rewarded regardless of given a chance to transform the fate of Pakistan. You, my friend are a realistic person, I hope you make a sound decision so that your coming generations will feel proud of you. Best of luck to you and your angels, we are content in standing up for Haq and speaking against Baatil.
What a joke all u people were prasing Shah Mehmood a week earlier calling him a honest person a c lean person, a mature politician. Now as rumours are spreading that hes joining N, all u same people are mocking him. it really shows how short sighted u really are.
PTI supporters shall understand that this is politics in our country. These old traditional politicians know how r gainnegotiating powers. Everybody has right to choose so doesnt matter if he selected PML for his future.
What PTI shall do to focus its startegy and do hardwork as Imran is doing since last 02 years and PML was just sitting idle and therefore, now PML is panic. Leave SMQ and go ahead. Lot of politics ahead.
@ yousuf
every city besides lahore has its own requirments, roads in lahore because almost 50% automobiles of punjab are in lahore and its surroundings, They have done a job and we need to appreciate them for good. They are also doing alot for quality education in punjab and this worth alot.
my only point was if he stood for raymond davis issue then what's the point of joining pmln i think they are involved in raymond davis issue aswell so what's the point
SMQ cannot get PPP out of Multan, let alone South Punjab. An arrogant man of his kind can not stay in any party for long...
@ Saladin, My advice to Imran is that he should leave people like you and join PML(N). Atleast his own seat is then guaranteed.
@Usman Zafar: By the way...there are Pakistanis living outside the privileged cities of Lahore and Raiwind as well who would have certainly benefited from Mr. Sharif's benevolence!
Mostly the supporters of PTI are not capable of analyzing Pakistan's Politics. They are more reactive and directionless, they need to understand the politics and its dynamics.
@Ch Allah Daad: Political mercenaries (Jayalas) like you who sell their souls to these political devils are the root-cause of the dismal & sorrowful conditions in which Pakistan is at present. See the abyss of humiliation, where these so called leaders have lead the country to, no one in international community respects us. Their foreign policy failures have stigmatized the image of Pakistanis to this extent that whoever, wherever terrorists activity happens, it is blamed on Pakistan. Pakistan is presumed to be guilty of these crimes until it proves not guilty. Don’t you feel, the future of your coming generations is unsafe at the hands of these time tested corrupt politicians? Don’t you feel, our economy can afford no further downward slide from the point, we are now? Only some of the African countries are our neighbors in these economic worries & adversities. I wonder, how someone can be still blind to the glimmer of hope, the passion & fire which the youth is feeling now with Mr. Khan. Wake up from your slumber, come forward for the sake your coming generations, support Mr. Khan to uproot these non-performers.
haha, what a surprise for IMRAN KHAN, the people are abusing SMQ for meeting with Nawaz Sharif.But may he joins PTI, then they will praise him WHAT A Round thinking people
@Usman Zafar: What about those MPA's from PML-Q supporting PML-N government in punjab ??
this is the real politics and groud reality, wake up revolution dreamers!
I see your stupid comments all over the place. Unfortunatey, it is because of people like yourself that Pakistan is a failed state.@Ch Allah Daad:
A political suicide in making by Mr. Qureshi...!
PPP and PML(N) are two finalists. Next election is between these two rivals and their allies. PTI is still playing qualifying round.
Imran Khan can be useful as Chairman Cricket board but not as Prime Minister of Pakistan. Reason being He can do best what he has been doing all life not what he has started doing in his later part of life, You cant expect a Engineer to do a docters job because he is simplyed not trained for it. Moreover if he wants to bring real change why he is including same people who have been part of PPP or PML-Q. it clearly means that he just wants to come into power just like others at the disposale of leaving his principle stand earlier. He should have brought up New Neat and Clean lot if really wants to brings a change. Including time and tested candidates wont help his cause. Mean while Pakistan Muslim (N) is doing politics of principles thats why its Anti Establishment, All bad and corrupt leaders have already let PML-N in form of PML-Q. Qureshi will join PML-N and that will be a wise Decison.
@Shuaib: Why Shuaib sir, I mean every person has the right to think about his or her better future and I think SMQ is doing the same thing so what's wrong in it or it's just that you wanted him to join PTI?
Irrespective of what PPP loses or PML-N gains out of this, it is very unlikely that SMQ will become part of the inner circle of PML-N. Currently, PML-N already is loaded with "leaders", with very few workers, that there isn't any room for a new one. Most likely he will be dumped after the elections, and his fate will not be different from Leghari.
Shame on SMQ
I love it how seat re-adjustments are 'negotiated' in our political system like cabbage and tomato...who cares about the common man???
Same story same music......
Where do common people figure into all of this?
wasn't he supposed to be joining imran khan's party?