File photo of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
The heads of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Sunni Tehreek (ST) met on Monday to discuss the possibility of an alliance ahead of the upcoming general elections.
According to PML-N officials, the party is preparing to counter Minhajul Quran International (MQI) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri if he decides to participate in the polls.
They added that the PML-N’s right vote bank could be divided in the polls if Qadri’s Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) decides to participate.
Furthermore, sources said that the ST and PAT both have a vote bank in the rural areas of the country as both are from the Barelvi school of thought. Both parties have deep roots in different sects such as Sufi, Qadri, Sabri, Chishtia Awaisia, Qalandira, and Nakshbandia, among others.
According to an official handout by the PML-N, party chief Nawaz Sharif said, during his meeting with ST head Sarwat Ejaz Qadri, that his party was ready to cooperate with them for the eradication of anarchy in Karachi.
He added that the PML-N had a roadmap on how to restore peace in Karachi and wanted to bring all likeminded political parties under one umbrella.
The ST chief endorsed Nawaz’s point of view, saying they would work together to materialise the PML-N’s roadmap for Karachi.
Meanwhile, ST Central Leader Shahid Ghauri told The Express Tribune said that the ST Ulema had urged the party to make an alliance with the PML-N for the upcoming general election. He added that once the alliance is finalised, the ST would file its candidates on all seats of Karachi and Hyderabad.
An ST delegation also expressed their condolence with Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif over the death of their younger brother Abbas.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2013.
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It would be good if PMLN and PST join hands. But before this PMLN should clearly condemn the suicide attacks on Sufi shrines, mosques and Imam bargahs which are done by LeJ, SSP, TTP. If PMLN doesnt condemn SSP and LeJ terrorists then forget about the vote of Sunni barelwis.
Mr. Sharif, please let us know your roadmap to peace in Karachi or is it just a useless claim...
Lest we forget, Sunni Tehreek was also named as one of the parties with militant wings in Karachi. Any principles dear to PML-N?
It is a natrual alliance because there should be no confusion in Pakistan that who is on the side of terrorism and who is not.
yes who esle maybe pml n should make alliance with lej and taliban in kpk
Very funny, who can not win a counselor seat will bring peace in Karachi ....
I think this is very good decision of both of the parties. May this attempt brings peace in Karachi as this is wish of all Pakistani.
And they call themselves National Political party, a party representing the masses of Pakistan. At the same time they are aligning themselves to a party which represent a section of population or belief and not the masses. I hope these dead wood never get into power as they are dangerous to the homogenity of Pakistan and its integrity.
Nice to be allied to stop qadri,s anti democratic approach
Religion in our country is treated like a ball on the devil's playground. Somebody is using it not to pay taxes, somebody is exploiting it to kill others , somebody is mending ways in it for the sake of making good relations and our politicians are using the religion for their own political needs. May Allah have mercy on the name of the Religion. When we will equate performance instead of religion to judge someone then we can only progress. Merit Based societies always excel and biased societies who judge people based on religion, race or creed always see their demise after a certain time.
Please bring peace in karachi, at whatever cost and alliance.