LG elections: PML-F, PML-Q and Musharraf’s party to join hands

The coalition will later woo other parties except for the PML-N, PPP and MQM

HYDERABAD: A political alliance of at least three factions of the Pakistan Muslim League is likely to be announced before mid-June if not by next week.

The formation of the coalition was disclosed by Pakistan Muslim League - Quaid (PML-Q) Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh at a press conference on Wednesday. The coalition will later woo other mainstream, religious and nationalist parties except for the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

"We will strongly abide by the minus-three formula," said Shaikh. Besides PML-Q, Pakistan Muslim League - Functional and General (retd) Pervez Musharraf's All Pakistan Muslim League will be part of this electoral grouping that plans to wage its first battle in the upcoming local government elections.

Explaining why the PPP and PML-N will not be invited for the alliance, he blamed the two parties for alleged bad governance and rampant corruption that have made the lives of common people miserable.

As for the MQM, he said that no 'militant party will be made part of the alliance'. During the Musharraf regime, MQM was a coalition partner of the PML-Q and PML-F. However, when asked if they will consider combining forces with the MQM again, he replied in the negative.

Sheikh also disparaged the Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for failing to emerge as a 'third force' that provides alternative leadership to the people against PML-N and PPP. "These parties are making the federation weaker because each of them talks about the provinces where they have their provincial governments," said Shaikh.

The PML-Q leader said they will also welcome those politicians into their coalition who have parted ways with the 'minus-three' parties. He also did not rule out taking the PTI as a partner in the alliance at a later stage and agreeing on the 'one-point agenda' of getting rid of 'corrupt rulers'.

Sheikh also held a meeting with Qaumi Awami Tehreek president Ayaz Palijo at the latter's house.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2015.