LAHORE:
The war drums have been banged for months, but now the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is ready for full-on political conflict.
The party’s leader, Nawaz Sharif, on Monday gave the go-ahead to Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to contact other parties in the National Assembly, in the hope of instigating a fresh “no-confidence” movement against the government. A party strategy on the Memogate issue was also devised, along with plans for forthcoming party gatherings in the country.
Sources said that Nawaz has asked Nisar to start negotiations with Awami National Party leader Asfandyar Wali Khan, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and members from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas to support the PML-N with their “no-confidence” movement. If they express an interest in coming on board, Nawaz will meet them personally.
The PML-N has also decided to approach members of the PML-Q, and even disgruntled members of other political parties, luring them with the prospect of party tickets at the next elections.
The high-level party meeting was held in Raiwind. Attendees included Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Senator Ishaq Dar, Mehtab Abbasi, Shahid Khakan Abbasi, Sardar Zulfiqar Khan Khosa, Senator Pervez Rashid, MNA Rana Tanveer Hussain, Ahsan Iqbal and Raja Ashfaq Sarwar.
According to inside sources, in addition to Nawaz’s schemes, his proposed three-day visit to Karachi and list of entrants to the PML-N were both finalised. Sharif will visit Karachi on December 18, meeting prominent figures in Sindhi politics. These include the Mehar family, the Chandio family, Arbab Rahim , Saleem Jan Mazari and Shaukat Shah.
Nawaz will also visit Chishtia Bahawalnagar on December 22, Azad Kashmir on December 26 and Gujranwala on December 31, as he looks to gather momentum to launch a genuinely competitive movement against the Pakistan Peoples Party.
Among the serious political offensives, there will also be a day of festivity for the PML-N this winter, as the party will celebrate its birthday on December 30, when Nawaz is expected to be in Lahore to address a public gathering.
On Memogate, the PML-N is expected to decide its policy based on written reply of President Asif Zardari in court. However, the PML-N will continue to publicise the issue as much as possible, in order to inform the public about the repercussions of allowing ?undemocratic? forces to prosper.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 14th, 2011.
COMMENTS (10)
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how can pml-n recruit against government when it has the government in punjab
Sharifs can stay away from Pakistan and politics for 10 years per agreement with Gen. Mush. However, they cannot wait for one more year for the next elections. Sharifs are showing a way to the other unelcted parties and actors how to undo the democratically elected govt. After being sent out packing twice the Sharif has not learned anything yet! PPP leaders can tough it out in jail for years but Sharif did not last even a few weeks.
Right Direction? Trying to derail the elected government instead of waiting for the next elections is the right direction Ms. Jabbar?
Mr. shariff suddenly seems to be anxious to bring about change in Pakistan democratic system in whichever fashion available, what happened to your believe in the justice system? I wonder who is backing him for this one, certainly not the Awam. perhaps some institution of Pakistan who is bent on destroying democracy I Pakistan.
well they never woke up in the last four years and dint brought no confidence motion back then over about thousands issues of national importance or over any issue of public interests ... now they would do it because they know that in the last year they certainly wont be having any confidence in the govt regarding the electoral rolls or anything regarding the elections . they would always protect there interests and stand for what threatens and affects all of them !!
@Zeenat Jabbar: wishful thinking.
We can wait for 'NAB case' but the country's health cannot wait that long, if we cannot support PML (N), lets not ridicule it because after a very long time has decided to head in a right direction!
The question rises here what are the objective of this "no-confidence", Do PML-N seeking to strengthen their party, building alliance, or it is pure anti-government movement. If any of these objectives are on their prime list, the next question is that either it is right time for game plan. I think PML-N is late in all these process and they have lost their trust in mass population.
@Concerned: Well everyone now believes in freedom of Judiciary so let it be be if NAB cases are opened, the courts are there to give justice....
Souldn't we wait for NAB case against you in the supreme court, Mr Sharif?