Pakistan

Politicking: PM Gilani to seek Sharifs’ support

Gilani looks to win over Sharif brothers; meeting with Shahbaz Sharif scheduled today.

Express January 03, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will hold a series of crucial meetings with the top leadership of the PML-N on Monday.

Premier Gilani will first meet Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and later in the day or perhaps the next day he is scheduled to meet Nawaz Sharif.

Gilani, who faces an imminent no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, would try to win over the Sharif brothers, who have of late been coming up with statements that their party would not “let the democracy get derailed”.

Though there seems to be very thin chances of any breakthrough in these meetings, some officials say nothing can be ruled out.

In the best case scenario, the PML-N can stay away from any move to dislodge Gilani’s government even if it doesn’t support it.

Experts say Sharif’s unwillingness to go for midterm elections at this stage and fears for a military takeover can prove a breather for the PPP-led government.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2011.

COMMENTS (1)

Sohrab | 13 years ago | Reply Here it is: the nation can once again see the true face of PML(N). After misstating the truth about his deal with Musharraf, Nawaz Sharif can again be seen as the main backer of the PPP government in the guise of being "savior of democracy." Fact of the matter is that he knows well the establishment, and their protagonists, do not want him in the government. So, his best bet is to come in the next parliament with an overwhelming majority and force the establishment to back down. That is a real possibility, given the tendency of Pakistanis to vote along ethnic, linguistic, and provincial lines. And don't hold your breath for MQM and PTI to throw a monkey wrench on this strategy. Difficult for MQM to overcome it's image of past fascist tendencies and improbable for Imran Khan to sway the public towards him by learning a thing or two about politicking and campaigning, South Asia style. My sympathies to my compatriots: You deserve better.

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