Allies in the making: PML-N looks to muster support in Sindh
With a full roster of public rallies this month, Nawaz is hoping to cash in on some newfound political friends and allies in the making. One of them, Sindh National Front (SNF) chairman Mumtaz Bhutto is expected to announce his grouping’s alliance with the PML-N.
On May 8, the PML-N leader will be addressing a public gathering at Garhi Khairo in Jacobabad where the head of the Baledi tribe, Sardar Suleman, is expected to join the party.
The next day Nawaz will address another gathering in Rato Dero where Mumtaz Bhutto will formally announce a political alliance between the SNF and the PML-N.
Negotiations between Mumtaz and Nawaz over seat adjustments reached a stalemate earlier as the former had sought the slot of PML-N chairmanship. Sources in the PML-N said the issues had been resolved through “alternate talks” and seat adjustments had almost been finalised.
Senior leaders of PML-N’s Sindh chapter Ghous Ali Shah, Saleem Zia and Irfan Marwat acted as mediators between Nawaz and Mumtaz, while the recent addition Marvi Memon is actively persuading other politicians to join the party. On May 11, Nawaz will address a public gathering in the Hafizabad district where new entrants Bhatti and Tarrar families will flex their social muscle to ensure a large attendance.
Nawaz will return to the southern province again on May 15 to address a public gathering in Garhi Yaseen in Shikarpur district where renowned political figure Agha Imtiaz will join the party. Imtiaz is also a close relative of PPP provincial minister Agha Siraj Durrani.
Yet another rally will be held on May 16 in Shikarpur city where other notable politicians are expected to join PML-N.
Sharif’s political secretary Dr Asif Kirmani accused PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari of targeting organisers of PML-N’s public gatherings and those wanting to join the party. According to him, police and feudal lords were creating hurdles for PML-N’s expansion.
The party’s think-tank also feels Nawaz’s frequent visits to Sindh have unnerved both the PPP and the MQM. The PML-N is also negotiating with Peoples Amn Committee leader Uzair Baloch. If Baloch joins the party, he is likely to remain in Punjab till the end of the incumbent government’s tenure.
PML-N had launched a similar Tehreek-e-Nijat movement in 1994 against then prime minister Benazir Bhutto which continued till the end of her government in 1996. In that movement, the PML-N had employed different mediums of protests such as public gatherings, long marches and sit-ins.
This time too, the PML-N seems determined to continue its movement against the PPP-led coalition government till the end of its tenure.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 7th, 2012.
COMMENTS (20)
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Why so much criticism on Nawaz Sharif while he is much better than others.......A question to Imran khan and all PTI...PTI is nothing without Imran Khann but PML N is a significant party without Nawaz Sharif.. Thumbs Up for Nawaz sharif and PML N
@ Sjida PMLN never failed in any of their tenures . can u plz tell me did PMLN only once completed its tenure ??? More over maximam GDP growth in theer 1st tenure wle in their 2nd Tenure Pakistan done atomic explosions plus Pakistan was 14th in coruption in PPP Tenre . PMLN bring that number to 88 . mean pakistan was on 88th number in corrupt countries list n 1998. moreover No case hasbeen registered On Sharifs of corruption even Musharf didnt do taht as well .
@Adnan Bahi It is the same PMLN who came in power in sindh in 97 . so PMLN cud again do that.
So they will come to power and fail again, just like PPP! that's what Pakistanis get for suffering from amnesia.
It is hilarious that PML-N on one hand crying for political role of agencies while covertly using them to garner their votes. How double faces these double brothers have. This is the real face of PML-N, where is rant of Chaudhry Nisar now, where the politics of morality by Mian Sahib has died now, Why Khadm-e-Aala is mum on this issue. PML-N is a group of political chameleon, never ever trustable. PML-N on one hand enjoying perks and privileges by occupying the top seats in Punjab while bashing Government on national level, if they were sincere to this nation, why they did not quit Punjab Assembly But problem is that Had they left Punjab Govt, they would not have been able to terrorize their political opponents in Punjab. Even now, they would resign only from National Assembly after the budget 2012 but not from the Punjab assembly till the last day.
@Adnan,
Well even if Mumtaz Bhutto has no seat in Sindh, it doesnt mean he's not politically important. Every party isn't PTI you see, not everyone is looking for people with votes and notes only
@ Adnan..........dear u remain entrenched in past and the present........while politics is the art of possibilities, which lay in future. however if you are happy with your zero than i dont have any problem.
@pakistani: It was just a comment bro. Don't take it so seriously. My question remains the same. How many seats do they have in Sindh? The answer to this is ZERO!
I think, in politics 0+0 = 2 (1 MNA + 1 MPA)
I guess once these Asemblies will end almost Whole PMLQ of Sindh will join PMLN Inn Sha Allah as happend in KP while some Big Guns from PPP will as well Join PMLN. Inn Sha Allah.
PMLN shoud enlist all the terrorists as its supporters
With recent US backing of him, his chances look prominent.
@ adnan..................so if 0+0=0, what are u bothered about. quite frankly politics and maths are two different ball game...........in politics u can have 1+1=11.
Great work done by Nawaz Sharif. He should not be afraid from PPP and PTI. Nawaz Sharif has become the most popular politician of the country. A noora kushti is being played between PPP and PTI. I believe that PTI cannot harm Nawaz Sharif. Infact PTI is the biggest ally of PPP government.
Mumtaz Bhutto has no electoral power in his own area let alone Sind. He has not won a single seat in the election. He has no representation in either the NA or Sind assembly. Here is a universal fact: Zero plus zero plus zero is still zero. The collection of all the zeros and spent forces of the past shows how desperate the PML could be? The people of Sind could never forget the words by Mumtaz Bhutto after he came back from Jail after meeting ZAB. He said "Quaid-e-Awam said that nobody should go out on the street for me". The next day ZAB was hanged. What has Mumtaz Bhutto done to oppose the dictatorial rule of Gen Zia, now he is again close friends with Zia's political offspring.
PTI and PML N should focus on Sindh and try to get 25-30 seats there. Sindh badly needs multiple parties to represent them.
PML(N) is playing its cards very wisely. I hope they will perform excellent in the coming elections. At the same time, their track record is also very good. I believe that only Nawaz Sharif can bring Pakistan out of present troubles.
Heads Down; Aims High.....Keep it up Nawaz Sharif!!
PPP, MQM....We Are Coming...!!
Can anyone tell me how many seats Mumtaz Bhutto's party has in Sindh Assembly and how many PML N has. It means 0+0=0...
Maybe PML-N should also attempt to ally themselves with JSQM. They have significantly weakened after unexpected demise (poisoning?) of chairman Bashir Qureshi.