Sheikh Rashid will support Imran on NA-56, while Imran will support the Awami Muslim League chief on NA-55. PHOTO: FILE
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 16th, 2013.
COMMENTS (39)
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@Habib Khan: Let me know tomorrow.
PML(N) is the strongest party in Pakistan at the moment. It would be impossible to defeat PML(N) in Rawalpindi as PML(N) enjoys over-whelming majority in this city.
PML(N) is the only popular party of Rawalpindi. If all parties unit together, even then they cannot defeat PML(N) in this city. Allah bless Nawaz Sharif.
Rawalpindi is the city of PML(N) lovers. It will be proved again on May 11, 2013.
Shame for both Imran and Sheikh Rasheed.
If status quo parties are doing mukmuka why is it halal for PTI?
It has been seen that most of PTI supporters are youngsters doing nothing after their education and just sitting on the Net and posting comments in favor of PTI. They are in fact waiting for some miracle to happen if PTI wins. And that miracle will grant them jobs and change the country totally. Or might be change Pakistan to USA. But definitely this will not be the case even if PTI wins. Changing this country will take a very long time. So I request such guys to concentrate and work hard for your own lives also. All parties are beneficial other than PPP who only ruined the country badly.
I beg you dear pmln supporters and my pakistani brothers and sisters. be on the right side of history. look at the facts, look at the 80,000 office bearers, look at the 25% youth candidates, look at the education of IK and his cabinet, look at his ability to lead. look at the enthusiasm and activism ik has brought to pak-watan.
i am a pti member yet i regularly send emails to all levels of leaderships of things i don't like. how to improve, how to correct mistakes. some of my ideas are accepted, others rejected but I am NEVER removed from party for trying to make things better. I am allowed to be a whistle-blower when i see something wrong. what more could we possibly want from a party? before pti, i hated politics.
compare to the corruption of sharif brothers and for god sake vote them out. There are books on Nawaz sharif's corruption. it is documented.
Vote for PTI and vote these people out.
Let's take back our country.
I am a resident of Rawalpindi, I am sure that IK will win the seat from NA-56 and Shiekh Rasheed from 55. Although Shiekh Raseed is not much popular here but most people have decided to vote for him because of IK. Shakeel Awan is a good candidate but people are angry with Haneef Abassi. No one wants a drug seller to be the MNA. He would only get the votes based on party. Looks like PTI will sweep Rawalpindi.
losers
see u guys on 11th may inshALLAH...rawalpindi is just too strong for anyone to beat pmln..ground realities are very different from what u guys r expecting..cant wait for 11 may..:)
@Oliver Kahn: Because Hashmi was competing on a PML-N ticket then. btw he has refused to get a PTI ticket this time from Lahore & Rawalpindi because he he is seasoned politician and he knows his limits.
@KH:
Sure u r right in case of Musharraf...but what about Mr Nawaz Sharif...he ran away too with all his family members leaving his party PML N leaderless....
@faysal,
Its not wise to predict results of the may 11 polls based on past results. This is a totally different ball game. 2.5 crore fake votes struck out, 4 crore new votes injected, free media, and charismatic of all charismatics Imran Khan contesting in Pindi.
@faysal: see you on 11th May's night. :)
@ikhlaas: inshallah
@Falcon, hence the decision to stoop so low as to choose Sheikh Rashid, who IK was insulting a few years ago?
No, stopping low is the Muk Mukka my leader, the caged lion, did with Musharraf during his recent "Umrah" trip! Allah be blessed.
Fake news ! No reality in it.
If Hashmi could win in 2008 fron NA-55, why not now? PTI seems to be wasting a seat in this constituency.
pak fauj is the ultimate winner of this alliance
Proud to be TR from NA-56
just relax guys..pmln is going to win both the seats NA-55 N NA-56 in pindi..such sort of alliances were held even last time against pmln but nothing could happen..the only reason why pmln is confused to announce its candidate from NA-55 is bcz of too many strong contenders in party for that seat...n btw very nice of IK to try his best to defeat pmln everywherebut dont contest against mqm,ppp n otr parties..all those parties are saint..huh..
@Falcon, hence the decision to stoop so low as to choose Sheikh Rashid, who IK was insulting a few years ago? Thought they would go ahead by themselves if the position was so strong?
Being resident of Pindi I am very happy that Imran Khan is running from our city. Seat adjustment to knock out people like Hanif Abbassi and Malik Awan is pragmatic
Could someone please explain to me why in the world all those disillusioned youngsters are wanting to cast their vote for pti, a group willing to support and negotiate with those very political parties that have morally and financially bankrupt the country??
@Tanzeel: I guess MQM's Cybershield members must know the difference between 'electoral alliance' and 'seat adjustment'!?
Though I am not a PML-N supporter but Sheikh Rashid was an independent candidate in 2002 and not of PML-Q as mentioned above. he joind Q later although he took votes in the name of Nawaz Sharif.
Sensible decision
Frankly, i dislike sheikh rashid but in order to defeat hanif abbasi i am ok with this seat adjustment
For a politician claiming to change Pakistani politics for good, IK gets along very well with the most experienced deal-making politicians in the quest for power. Is PTI that insecure about its position in Rawalpindi? But on the other hand, it is good that PTI and all other parties hidden and otherwise are training their guns on PML-N, shows who is status quo and who isn't.
imran khan will thrash hanif abbasi !!
Just saw an interview of people on the streets in NA-56 in Rawalpindi...everybody was angry with Hanif Abbasi, this seat is surely going to fall to IK
Mr. Musharraf please go back or to jail...we dont need people who run away
The same Musharraf once mocked the great IK a party of one seat. At least he won it with people's hearts and minds. Now PTI will sweep the elections.
I'd go out to vote for the first time in my life. And i'll make history. Irresepective of ongoing conspiracies, I'd vote for Imran Khan. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD.!
Awesome, PTI rocks, my prayers for you Imran Khan
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan has ruled out entering into an electoral alliance with any political party and said “electable and alliance politics is for power while our politics is to usher a change in the country”. DAWN NEWS - 7th April - 2013