PML-N ramps up efforts to form electoral alliances in Sindh

• PML-N to meet with MQM-P leaders in Karachi today.
• JUI-F welcomes Nawaz’s invitation to electoral alliance.
• Party also meet Pir Pagara to form strong electoral alliance.

KARACHI: With elections approaching in a couple of months, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has accelerated its efforts to form an electoral alliance in Sindh, the province that remains a major hold for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

To realise its plans to establish a government in the province, the Shehbaz Sharif-led political party Saturday separately held meetings with leaders of other political entities in Sindh including the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) inviting them with the message of party supremo Nawaz Sharif for a joint working relationship.

The PML-N delegation comprised leaders Ayaz Sadiq, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Bashir Memon, Kheel Das Kohistani and Ali Akbar Gujjar, all of whom met with JUI-F Sindh Secretary General Allama Rashid Mahmood Soomro at his residence to discuss a possible electoral alliance and seat adjustment in the general elections slated to take place on February 8, 2024.

The delegation conveyed the PML-N supremo’s message for Soomro to engage in detailed consultations and close working relations. Soomro welcomed the party’s proposal and said that a joint struggle could bring significant surprises as a result.

“It is time to free the people of Sindh from deprivations. The people have made their decision in the Sindh Peace March; now it is time for the leadership to respond seriously to the aspirations of the people,” the JUI-F leader said.

Soomro also invited the PML-N leadership to JUI-F public gathering to be held in Larkana on November 30. Saad Rafique assured Soomro of PMLN’s participation in the event. The PMLN leaders stressed that it was time to bring an alternative leadership to Sindh according to the aspirations of the people of Sindh.

Meanwhile, the delegation also met GDA chief Pir Sibghatullah Rashidi, commonly known as Pir Sahab Pagara, at the Functional House in Karachi.

During the meeting, the PML-N leaders discussed the political situation of the country and delivered Sharif’s message to Pagara. They agreed a strong electoral alliance in Sindh was needed.

The GDA leader assured his support and said that PML-N, GDA, Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan and JUI-F will not only provide an alternative leadership but would also make the government in Sindh after the general elections. The delegation will visit Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan’s (MQM-P) head office today (Sunday) to discuss further working relationship. Last week, both parties agreed to form an alliance and address the problems of urban Sindh.

The sources within the urban-centred entity said that MQM-P and PML-N leaders will discuss proposals for cooperation. In this connection, a six-member committee would be formed to prepare proposals to address the issues of urban Sindh. Both parties will nominate their members for the committee before the formal announcement of an electoral alliance.