Speculation is rife in the federal capital that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) may emerge as an 'alternate' to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) following latter's arguably dismal performance during its past one and a half years in power.
On Sunday, Shehbaz Sharif reportedly managed a meeting between Nawaz Sharif and an unidentified man who had covered his face with a hat. He left the Avenfield apartments after the meeting from the back door of the premises to avoid media queries.
The news of the meeting has not been denied nor clarified prompting analysts to maintain that a 'deal' has either been struck or is in the process of being fine-tuned.
The unidentified man, well-informed sources told Business Recorder on condition of anonymity, was a retired commissioned officer, reportedly a friend of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and one of the federal minister.
Supporters of Prime Minister Imran Khan however dismiss such speculation by insisting that the civilian government and the military establishment remain on the same page and a deal without either one being complicit is wishful thinking at best.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has yet to give his consent to any political setup without him, as he wants to launch his comeback in politics, according to sources privy to the development.
If Shehbaz Sharif, who was acceptable to the establishment even during the Sharif's sojourn in Saudi Arabia, is allowed to take over the party with his elder brother's blessings then the deal would take a concrete shape, sources added.
PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb declined to respond when Business Recorder sought her party's position on the matter. Punjab government on Tuesday rejected Nawaz Sharif's request for an extension in his bail after expressing dissatisfaction at the medical reports submitted by the former premier to extend his stay in London.
As public discontent over the state of the economy, poor governance, corruption and skyrocketing inflation threaten to spill onto the streets the need to find an alternate has assumed relevance.
The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is not being considered an alternate as it has virtually become a regional party - a Sindh-based party - with little or no support in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. However PPP's role in an in-house change in parliament would be critical given its strength in both houses of parliament.
Comments
Comments are closed.