Lahore : Nov 7 : Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) on Tuesday gave the first shock to Pakistan People Party (PPP) by forming an electoral alliance with Pakistan Mutiheda Qaumi Movement (MQM). An MQM delegation met with PMLN supremo , Nawaz Sharif , at his residence here in Raiwind here.
PMLN electoral alliance MQM is like a warning of bigger anti PPP alliance . PMLN and PPP are at odds for weeks and there seems no possibility of any ceasefire between these two major political parties of Pakistan.
By joining hands with PMLN , MQM has made a sharp move . It can help MQM regain its lost mandate of the voters in Karachi and many other cities of Sindh province.
MQM had suffered a major setback in 2018 general elections . As a result it lost 98 % national assembly seats to Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI). Just 24 hours ago both parties top leaderahip had made the first contact After a gap of more than four years. Top leaders of PPP and PMLN had made a direct contact to discuss politics and Pakistan’s economic issues.
Both leaders had exchanged good wishes and reaffirmed their willingness to enhance political contacts in the coming days. Asif Zardari ‘s contact to Mian Nawaz Sharif had come in an environment of polarisation between their parties.
After ruling jointly for 16 months , PPP and PMLN are at odds for months. Top political leaders of both parties are publicly criticising each other and making divergent claims on the outcome of the upcoming general elections. PPP top leader , Asif Ali Zardari is on the record saying he would not let Mian Nawaz Sharif become the prime minister of Pakistan again. His son and PPP chairman , Balawal Bhutto is publicly accusing PMLN of becoming a B team of the establishment.
In the prevailing polarised political situation , Asif Zardari ‘s contact with Mian Nawaz Sharif is of substantial significance. Talking to a private TV channel , Rana Tanveer of PMLN said Asif Ali Zardari phoned Mian Nawaz Sharif to inquire about his health . He termed the contact between Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif as a good development . Rana Tanveer , however , wanted a clear mandate for PMLN in the upcoming elections to make needed reforms to pull Pakistan out of the on-going financial crisis.
PMLN new move of bringing MQM in its political folds could lead PPP to more shocks in coming days.