Having secured victory in Punjab, the PML-N has embarked on an ambitious endeavor to forge a formidable alliance in Sindh, seemingly to challenge the PPP, their former ally, by forming a partnership with the MQM.
The party intends to broaden its reach by collaborating with other influential players in the province, including the JUI-F.
This highly anticipated announcement materialized following a meeting between the MQM and PML-N leadership at the PML-N's central secretariat in Lahore on Tuesday. The MQM's three-member delegation comprised the party's convener, Khalid Maqbool Saddique, along with Dr Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal.
Prominent attendees from the PML-N side included the party's leader, Nawaz Sharif, party president Shehbaz Sharif, chief organizer Maryam Nawaz, General Secretary Ahsan Iqbal, and Punjab President Rana Sanaullah.
Senior PML-N leaders Ayaz Sadiq and Saad Raffique, along with Pervaiz Rashid, Marriyum Aurangzeb, the newly appointed Sindh president, Bashir Memon, and Mian Nouman were also present.
According to the PML-N, both parties had reached an agreement to jointly participate in elections. However, the MQM asserted that this alliance merely represented a seat adjustment formula, positioning itself as the PML-N's primary ally in Sindh.
Both parties also reached a consensus on establishing a six-member committee tasked with devising a collaborative action plan within the next ten days.
Additionally, in a post-meeting press conference, the PML-N revealed the appointment of a retired bureaucrat, Bashir Memon, as the new president of the Sindh chapter.
In response, the PPP interpreted the PML-N's attempt to create an alliance against them as a testament to their growing popularity. Party leaders maintained that the Nawaz-led party's outreach to various political entities in Sindh indicated its awareness of dwindling public support, not only in Sindh but also elsewhere.
The PPP also accused both parties of being "king parties," asserting that they were both "disciples of the same spiritual leader."
Entering the electoral arena together
Following the meeting, Khawaja Saad Rafique held a joint press conference with Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal, announcing that both parties, in accordance with the understanding established during their PDM days, had agreed to jointly participate in the elections and would enter the election arena together.
He emphasized that during the meeting with the MQM delegation, it was agreed that in order to extricate Pakistan from its economic crises and address complex national issues, grand alliances must be formed.
He further stated that issues related to the economy, society, law, and constitution would have to be tackled jointly.
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