Eye possibility of taking alliance to a national level. PHOTO: SANA /FILE
The Pakistan Muslim League Functional (PML-F) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F) on Monday agreed in principle to jointly contest the next election in Sindh while the two parties are also looking at the possibility of taking their electoral alliance to a national level.
The announcement comes at a time when PML-F chief Pir Sibghatullah Shah is trying to woo nationalist parties in the province in an effort to dent the vote bank of the dominant Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
“It’s all about numbers. Together, we can make an impact in constituencies where elections were won by narrow margins,” said PML-F general secretary Imtiaz Shaikh following a meeting with a JUI-F delegation led by Khalid Mahmood Soomro.
“JUI-F has a significant presence in Shikarpur, Sukkur, Rohri and Larkana. It can easily amass over 10,000 votes in each of the constituencies in these areas,” added Shaikh.
PML-F won four National Assembly seats, along with one reserved slot for women in Sindh during the last elections. The two parties have begun working out details related to seat adjustments and other formalities.
A statement issued by PML-F indicated that efforts were under way to form a grand alliance, which will include Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, National Peoples Party, Awami Tehreek and smaller nationalist parties.
Imtiaz Shaikh said this alliance will send a message that the PPP will not have an open ground. “Coming together on one platform will also give us a psychological benefit,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2013.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ