Politicking: PM Gilani to seek Sharifs’ support
Gilani looks to win over Sharif brothers; meeting with Shahbaz Sharif scheduled today.
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 3rd, 2011.
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 3rd, 2011.