LAHORE: As the political chessboard sees its pieces shift and alliances form after the February 8 polls, the PML-N’s hand seemed stronger on Monday to handle the task of stitching the federal government together — without dividing the child as it conducts extensive consultations. with allies on stupidity.
After a wave of polls after February 8 in which no party emerged with a simple majority, the PML-N and the PPP engaged in a strategic tango to form a central government with the support of their allies.
In particular, PML-N is burning the midnight oil to cobble together a government in the Centre, Punjab and Balochistan.
Meanwhile, as the political wheeling and dealing also reached a fever pitch, seven newly elected members of the Punjab Assembly joined the PML-N who met the party’s chief organizer Maryam Nawaz.
Among the MPAs who made the strategic move were Sohail Khan of PP-240 Bahawalnagar, Khurram Virk of PP-48 Sialkot and Shehzada Gazin Abbasi of PP-249 Ahmed Pur Sharqia.
Khizar Mazarr of Rajanpur, Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Saqib Chadhar of Chiniot and Rana Fayyas of Pasroor joined the ranks.
During the meeting, Maryam welcomed the decision of the independent candidates and said it marked a change in the provision of facilities to the common people. Meanwhile, independents have expressed complete confidence in the prowess of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.
At the same time, behind closed doors at PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif’s residence, political activities were buzzing intensely.
Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) chairman Abdul Aleem Khan and newly elected National Assembly member Awn Chaudhry arrived at the former prime minister’s residence, according to party sources.
The two leaders immersed themselves in a detailed discussion on the current political scene and the formation of the government.
‘PM after consultation’
Meanwhile, at a press conference at the party secretariat in Model Town, PML-N Deputy General Secretary Attaullah Tarar hinted at the party’s strength to handle the task of forming a federal government.
However, he said that the choice of their prime ministerial candidate will be announced only after a thorough consensus with political allies.
Tarar revealed that discussions are underway with the PPP and MQM-P for the center to try to get newly elected members into the party.
Tarar expressed confidence in PML-N’s ability to form the government in Punjab as the party secured a simple majority in the province.
The PML-N leader stressed the importance of proper consensus among all political allies before announcing the prime ministerial candidate. Tarar congratulated all the PML-N workers, elected members and leaders for the expected formation of the government in Punjab.
As for the election results, Tarar said there were certain elements who were prematurely celebrating success based on the initial announcement of 25 percent. However, he pointed out that when the final results were announced, these elements began to point to improper electoral practices and raised concerns of fraud.
Tarar admitted that prominent PML-N figures including Rana Sanaullah, Mian Javed Latif, Sheikh Rohail Asghar and Khawaja Saad Rafique lost their seats. He argued that these seats could not have been lost if the PML-N had rigged.
Despite the losses, he said the party gracefully accepted the election results in areas where it faced defeat.
Meanwhile, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb dismissed the premature claims about the party’s prime ministerial candidate and claimed that senior leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif’s statement was taken out of context.
he insisted that the final decision will be made only after proper consultation with political allies, promising transparency in the process.
The PML-N, despite notable losses in seats held by prominent figures like Rana Sanaullah and Mian Javed Latif, remains undaunted and gracefully accepts defeat in areas where the electoral results have not been in their favour.
It is pertinent to note that PML-N and PPP with 75 and 54 seats respectively are engaged in constructive discussions.
The recent meeting between Shehbaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari at Bilawal House in Lahore, though shrouded in secrecy, is seen as a pivotal moment in shaping the political landscape.
With PTI-backed independent candidates leading with at least 93 seats in the National Assembly polls, the political scene is alive with speculation. However, the PML-N continues to navigate the complex terrain with a mixture of confidence and careful strategy.
