Garrison city: Imran, Rashid eye grand alliance against PML-N

JI, JUI-F approached; Nawaz still unsure about which candidates to field.

MULTAN/ ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan is ready to form a grand political alliance in Rawalpindi to inflict a crushing defeat on Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz in the May 11 elections.

The PTI chief, along with Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, have agreed on a seat adjustment formula to give a tough time to PML-N. According to the formula, Sheikh Rashid will support Imran on NA-56, while Imran will support the Awami Muslim League chief on NA-55.

Inside sources said that to form an alliance with other parties, Imran wanted to withdraw his party candidates from PP-14 in NA-56 and PP-12 in NA-55 to gain Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) support. As per suggestions, JI was asked to withdraw its candidates from NA-55 and NA-56. If negotiations are successful, PTI will support JI from NA-54.

Sheikh Rashid, the lone seasoned politician of the city, has been asked to make this alliance workable. A friend of his told The Express Tribune that Sheikh Rashid initiated the idea. He is also on good terms with JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman and is trying to garner his support.

There are three National and six provincial assembly seats in Rawalpindi where PML-N is considered to be a popular party. In the 2008 general elections, the twin cities were swept by PML-N as it bagged NA-48 and NA-49 from the federal capital. In Rawalpindi, the Sharif brothers defeated many established politicians by securing all National and provincial seats.

Constituency analysis

NA 55 (Rawalpindi-VI)

Retained by Sheikh Rashid Ahmad. He contested the elections as an independent candidate and later joined PML-Q under the new law.

Makhdoom Javed Hashmi also won two other National Assembly seats, NA-123 Lahore 6 and NA-149 Multan, he retained the latter. By-elections were held on June 26, 2008. Haji Pervaiz Khan of PML-N emerged as the winner. For details see 2008 By-election results.

The seat fell vacant due to Haji Pervaiz Khan’s resignation after the examination scandal. By-elections were held on February 24, 2010. Malik Shakeel Awan of PML-N emerged as the winner.

NA 56 (Rawalpindi-VII)



 

Sheikh Rashid Ahmad (contested as independent candidate and later joined PML-Q) won another National Assembly Seat, NA-55 Rawalpindi-VI, which he retained.  By-elections were held on January 15, 2003. Muhammad Hanif Abbasi of MMA emerged as the winner. For details see 2002 By-election results.

SOURCE: THE PAKISTAN ELECTION COMPENDIUM

Despite a clean sweep last time, PML-N is seemingly undecided on which candidates to field from the area.  A PML-N representative said that the party also is worried about seat adjustment between PTI and Sheikh Rashid, with Imran being aided by the politician in NA-56 against PML-N’s Hanif Abbasi.

The source said that since Sheikh Rashid has risen as a strong contender, at one point even Shahbaz Sharif considered contesting NA-55, but the idea was dropped after further deliberation.The possibility of Hamza Shahbaz contesting the seat has also ended. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), on the other hand, has to face a daunting task in the twin cities, with its only hope in Rawalpindi resting on the shoulders of former chairman of Baitul Maal, Zamarud Khan.



Musharraf approaches PTI

In a bid to form a coalition with PTI, former president Pervez Musharraf has approached officials close to Imran, Pakistan Democratic Party chief Nawabzada Mansoor Ahmed Khan said on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference in Muzzafargarh, Mansoor said that Musharraf personally approached his son Bilal Ahmed to pave the way for an alliance with PTI. Mansoor’s claims were followed by a swift denial.

“We will not help him out,” he said, adding that Musharraf had breached the Constitution and should be punished accordingly.

The APML Information Secretary Chaudhry Asad Mehmood said the former president is not begging anyone to ally with his party, but for Pakistan’s sake he is ready to form a coalition with anyone.

Correction: The story earlier said 'The possibility of Hamza Shahbaz contesting the seat is still open' but the correct statement was, 'The possibility of Hamza Shahbaz contesting the seat has also ended'. We regret the mistake.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2013.