Likeminded to ally with PTI in Sindh: Arbab Rahim
Says by-poll success of PPP, PML-N shows two-party hold is being promoted.
LAHORE:
Former Sindh chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that politics in Sindh will have a different outlook soon as the PML Likeminded group will make seat adjustments with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the upcoming polls.
Addressing a telephonic conference at the residence of Likeminded group’s Secretary General Humayun Akhtar Khan, Arbab said: “We do not intend to make an alliance with other political parties but offer real opposition to PPP in the centre as well as provinces.”
Arbab, who is the group’s Sindh chapter president, termed the success of PPP and PML-N in the by-elections as “in line with maintenance of two parties’ hold on power.”
Arbab added that the PPP-led government had crossed all boundaries of brutality, particularly in Sindh.
He cited the recent episode of party’s leader Waheeda Shah from Tando Muhammad Khan slapping a presiding officer in the by-elections as just one example.
Regarding Badin by-election, Arbab remarked that ‘it was Zulfiqar Mirza’s aides from Malir and Lyari who had managed his son Hasnain Mirza’s victory.’ Arbab had no love lost for the PML-N leadership too and thrashed the party’s performance in Punjab.
He also indicated that his talks with PTI’s chief Imran Khan are focused on seat adjustments only in the province of Sindh.
“It is lamentable that only two parties are being promoted vociferously in the country’s political make-up” said Arbab.
When asked about his plans to return to Pakistan, Arbab announced that he would come soon and land at Lahore Airport.
‘Using state machinery’
Humayun Akhtar Khan, while responding to a question, said that the prime minister had used all state machinery for ensuring his son’s victory in Multan.
He also demanded that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should issue a show cause notice to Yousaf Raza Gilani, adding that it was a litmus test for the ECP regarding its impartiality.
About plans to unite different factions of Muslim League, Humayun said that the functionalists as well as Zia and Awami League factions are negotiating with PML-N separately.
“Sheikh Rashid and Ejazul Haq are continuously in contact with Nawaz Sharif while the functional league has finalised seat adjustments with the PML-N.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2012.
Former Sindh chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that politics in Sindh will have a different outlook soon as the PML Likeminded group will make seat adjustments with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the upcoming polls.
Addressing a telephonic conference at the residence of Likeminded group’s Secretary General Humayun Akhtar Khan, Arbab said: “We do not intend to make an alliance with other political parties but offer real opposition to PPP in the centre as well as provinces.”
Arbab, who is the group’s Sindh chapter president, termed the success of PPP and PML-N in the by-elections as “in line with maintenance of two parties’ hold on power.”
Arbab added that the PPP-led government had crossed all boundaries of brutality, particularly in Sindh.
He cited the recent episode of party’s leader Waheeda Shah from Tando Muhammad Khan slapping a presiding officer in the by-elections as just one example.
Regarding Badin by-election, Arbab remarked that ‘it was Zulfiqar Mirza’s aides from Malir and Lyari who had managed his son Hasnain Mirza’s victory.’ Arbab had no love lost for the PML-N leadership too and thrashed the party’s performance in Punjab.
He also indicated that his talks with PTI’s chief Imran Khan are focused on seat adjustments only in the province of Sindh.
“It is lamentable that only two parties are being promoted vociferously in the country’s political make-up” said Arbab.
When asked about his plans to return to Pakistan, Arbab announced that he would come soon and land at Lahore Airport.
‘Using state machinery’
Humayun Akhtar Khan, while responding to a question, said that the prime minister had used all state machinery for ensuring his son’s victory in Multan.
He also demanded that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should issue a show cause notice to Yousaf Raza Gilani, adding that it was a litmus test for the ECP regarding its impartiality.
About plans to unite different factions of Muslim League, Humayun said that the functionalists as well as Zia and Awami League factions are negotiating with PML-N separately.
“Sheikh Rashid and Ejazul Haq are continuously in contact with Nawaz Sharif while the functional league has finalised seat adjustments with the PML-N.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2012.