LAHORE:
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to export its Sindh strategy for the upcoming polls – of forming alliances to bolster its vote bank – to Balochistan, discussing preliminary steps for an expected seat adjustment with the Balochistan National Party (BNP), The Express Tribune learnt on Tuesday.
PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and BNP Acting President Dr Jehanzeb Jamaldini, along with other senior BNP leaders, met at Raiwind, where the two sides discussed the current political situation in Balochistan and possible solutions to the crisis in the province, according to PML-N’s media wing.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Jamaldini said the two sides touched on three key topics which included how to ensure free and fair elections in the province, to provide Baloch parties a free environment to campaign for their parties and finally a PML-N-BNP political alliance in the province.
The BNP leader expressed satisfaction over Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ebrahim’s appointment, saying Ebrahim would ensure independent elections in the province. He added that Nawaz, through his political stature, would also ensure that Baloch political parties are allowed to carry out an independent election campaign in the province.
Discussing the possibility of an alliance in the upcoming polls, Jamaldini said BNP Joint Secretary Jahanzeb Baloch and former member of the National Assembly Rauf Mengal met with Nawaz on the direction of BNP President Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal. He said both sides had agreed to continue talks on a coalition in Balochistan, adding that Mengal would hold final talks with Nawaz in the coming months as he was expected to return to Pakistan at the end of January.
Speaking about the viability of such an alliance, Jamaldini said the two parties could bag around eight seats out of a total of 14 National Assembly seats in Balochistan, adding that BNP could win 40% of the seats in the Balochistan Assembly.
Nawaz is also in negotiations with Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) president Mehmood Khan Achakzai, who has called on him at the former’s Raiwind residence numerous times. The former prime minister has also nominated BNP founder Sardar Attaullah Mengal and Mehmood Khan Achakzai for the prime minister slot in the caretaker setup in its list of eight candidates.
In Sindh, the PML-N will contest elections with the Pakistan Muslim League (Like-Minded), Pakistan Muslim League Functional and Sindhi nationalists.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2012.
COMMENTS (16)
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@ Salman
It is obvious now by judging your comments that pti & its followers do not think before they speak. You speak of isi giving money to NS without any proof as well as conviction. You speak of taxation issues regarding NS without studying facts & rather believing in false stories. You speak of prosecution in terms of law against NS then again fail to produce authentic material & proofs on media, in court, among people. In my diary, Pti followers & its chief are very much confused, more likely frustated. Imran knows well it is only NS who can bring this country back on track & the same goes for you. Take that as a medicine to your misery & chill.
@noor:
Actually no one else except boycott khan accuses nawaz sharif of APDM's boycott. Every knows very well as it was clearly reported in the media that nawaz asked APDM to contest polls together. However, Nationalist parties and JI and PTI themselves boycotted.
why Akhtar mengal, Mahmood Achakzai, JWP and sindhi nationalist, all were part of APDM at that time, dont blame nawaz sharif even for once for so called ditching as claimed by khan sb. the answer is simple imran khan is still politically immature is trying to pose as 'mazloom' in the eyes of people to gain some political ground while portraying nawaz as betrayer, but with little success.
All major APDM parties are now standing with nawaz sharif...........which is a good omen for Pakistan..........as despite opposed to so called punjabi supremacy.......they still have confidence in nawaz sharif.
@Haroon: Yes he is an awsome leader.He has been mired in corruption ever since he was brought into politics by general Jilani and general Zia.He took money from ISI,He is implicated in tax evasion and money laundering.Why hasn't he been prosecuted?.What is going to stop him not to do more corruption in future?He should not be allowed to become PM again because he has no credibility and can not be trusted.
You are our only hope dear Nawaz Sharif. people who are talking against it don't know that they are indirectly supporting enemies of Pakistan. Keep it up PML N.
this is my leader....he brings people back to the nation...he brings unity,..look at sindh...bringing nationlists in...look at this articles...bringing balochs in...awesome job my leader
Express Tribune: PML-N inches closer to pre-poll deal with BNP ----- how many?
Mian sb., may Allah be with you! All the best.
@AK47:
Oh yeah! And what about the anti-Pakistan forces sitting in Islamabad at the moment?
a good move, we need to bring these people into Main stream political system and to overcome their grief...
a great news for prosperous and peaceful pakistan. thanks PML N
Good move by PML-N.
PML-N shaking with anti Pakistan forces.
Haha these guys would do anything to get some more seats. I am surprised when people call them a party of principles. This has confirmed my vote for PTI.
now wait for character assassination campaign of PTI towards Mengal.
May be Akhtar Mengal forgot the APDM boycott still he is doing alliance with Nawaz.He will again use BNP