The Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) is considering withdrawing from the ruling coalition led by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and a formal decision is expected immediately after Eid.
Insiders told The Express Tribune on Sunday that the party might enter into an electoral alliance or seat adjustment with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ahead of the upcoming general elections.
Currently, the PML-F has five seats in the National Assembly, and has recently had a host of influential politicians in Sindh join the party.
“We are in constant consultation and will soon decide how to readjust ourselves for the future,” Syed Mustafa Mahmud, a young parliamentarian from the PML-F told The Express Tribune on Sunday.
PML-F leader Syed Ahmed Mahmud, father of Mustafa, has held several meetings with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and other party leaders in recent months.
Mustafa’s sweeping victory in the last by-elections was aided by the PML-N, a development that laid the foundation for cooperation between the two parties. He was contesting elections from Rahim Yar Khan’s NA-195 seat, vacated by Jahangir Tareen who abandoned his MNA seat after joining the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Ahmed was endeavouring to bring the PML-F closer to the PML-N, and was also urging the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid to seek the unification of all PML factions.
Sources in the PML-N said that Ahmed’s efforts were close to producing favourable results, at least in case of bringing the PML-F close to the PML-N.
The PML-N also seems geared to build ties with the party. It might be a boost for the PML-N to seek new partners in Sindh ahead of the next elections, specially one which is fast winning new and important politicians. “We are expecting a breakthrough in our efforts,” a top official from the PML-N said.
Earlier on Friday, a PML-N delegation held a meeting with PML-F chief Pir Pagaro Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi and discussed the possibilities of their electoral alliance. In addition, Rashdi was extended an invitation to visit Lahore to meet Nawaz, which he accepted.
Apprehensive of the flourishing alliance, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf held a meeting with a PML-F delegation and promised to address its reservations with the PPP during his visit to Karachi.
The PML-F has had serious reservations regarding changes in polling schemes in Sindh as well as the non-cooperation of the Sindh government with regard to jobs, transfers, and postings.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2012.
COMMENTS (13)
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@Mohsin: yeah right this is why PMLN tops every time in all the polls in punjab!
Punjab has lost ANY hope from Nawaz Sharif /N-league , Sindis are just having false hope
@Prometheus: Hm one slight problem, ML continued to be a party atleast till sept. 1948 till jinnah was alive, and even after that, Im sure the party you find to be the most loyal is PPP
@Nadeem: Not a just cricketer, any party which is not a family monarchy.
Two losers forging an Alliance! PML died on 15th August 1947 after it achieved its objective on 14th August 1947, since then its been a supportive of dictatorship regimes in form or the other. As of right now it clearly stands for PML = Paisa, Manipulation, Loot khasoot no mmatter which faction or under which leader thats all it is and Nawaz the biggest of them all!!!!!
So What?
"as well as the non-cooperation of the Sindh government with regard to jobs, transfers, and postings".
Pardon my ignorance, but aren't these supposed to be on merit only? Sad that national politics are based on cronyism and self service.
@Shahid: How about a feudel supporting a crickter? would that be ok for you?
It will be good sign for Interior Sind development. people should now know the rights of human. Sindh is much backward then other provinces due to PPP govt. Even Larakana is hundred years backward then Bajour or Mohamand Agency. people should kicked out the so-called ppp leaders and bring change with in the community.
At last some good news for Sindh
Pir Pagara is sign of status quo. These people were adopted kids of British Raj after martyr pir who was genuine freedom fighter at the time of independence. Generations after independence has not proved themselves and remained power brokers for continuity of status quo. Their survival is only with PPP or PML, that's what they have done so far.
Feudal supporting a Feudal...God help us.