QUETTA:
The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party and its arch rival Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz are warming up to each other in an attempt to put up a united front against the common foe: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, whom they call the ‘establishment’s party’.
Such a possibility was earlier brushed aside as ‘speculation’ – but now a PPP leader no less than a provincial chief minister has confirmed backchannel efforts.
“A one-on-one meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif is expected soon,” Nawab Aslam Raisani, the chief executive of Balochistan said on Sunday.
Speaking to the media in Quetta, Raisani confirmed that he was playing a role to narrow down differences between the leadership of the two parties and arrangements had been completed for a meeting between Sharif and Zardari.
“The PPP’s reconciliation policy will succeed and anti-democratic forces will soon be disappointed,” he added.
The chief minister called upon the ‘democratic political’ parties to join hands to strengthen democracy and the democratic process.
“Next parliamentary election will take place as per schedule – no one should worry about that. I think those who are joining different parties will get nothing,” he added.
He also called upon democratic forces to sabotage the designs of those elements who are conspiring against the democratic process.
In an apparent reference to Imran Khan’s PTI, Raisani said that “the new political train will stop soon as it has no destination.” He described the politicians who are changing loyalties as ‘clowns’.
The chief minister also quashed speculation that he planned on joining another political party. “I’d prefer living in my mud-house to a luxurious mansion,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 2nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (9)
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48 hours ago Mian Nawaz said PPP govt. and Zardari are most corrupt. Now Raisani is talking about mediation. Another news was that Mian Nawaz wanted early election from the same corrupt govt. On the other hand Supreme Court is keeping the media busy with its effort to eradicate corruption and poverty through treason charges and ZAB case reinstatement. Am I the only one getting the feeling that PPP, PML-N, ISI, Army and SC are "the establishment" and kid gloving to distract people's attention from oil prices, gas crisis, food shortages, power, kidnapping, bomb blast, PIA, Railways, Steel Mills, etc? They are going to sweep away IK as well and the list of 'the establishment' will become longer. May Allah help Pakistan. Amen.
Mr. Raisani, how many times have you tried to mediate between state and rebel Baloch groups in your 4 years? Please spend whatever little time you have left in the office on these Baloch factions. You are the incumbent and hence accountable for what is happening in Balochistan.
Democratic process??? How much more time you need to demolish Pakistan??
This is a disinformation campaign. Even after clear denials from PML(N) such reports are irresponsible. These reports are planted to help PTI claim that the two parties have a secret understanding.
This is good. We need to join hands to keep anti Pakistan forces like PTI out!
I hope Mr. Raisani is proved wrong. Then we can all expect an answer, "Meeting meeting hoti hai, wo jali ho ya asli ho"
Imran khan had predicted the coming together of the old guard long ago. This proves once again that power and pomp trumps all principles.
an alliance between PTI & Musharraf/ APML will mean a piolitical death for PTI. an alliance between PPP & PMLN will mean an almost certain death for PMLN. PPP will survive nevertheless as atleast a regional party with some seats in SIndh just like 1997.
Now that it PTI against the rest i suppose that means an automatic advantage for PTI.
“The PPP’s reconciliation policy will succeed and anti-democratic forces will soon be disappointed,” he added.
Making the people of Pakistan a fool :) - Or these politicians don't know the true meaning of Democracy - what a load of disappointment! and As Raisani has said - Degree is a Degree, Fake or no fake doesn't matter.