As the presidential election entered the second phase, the political manoeuvring to win the support of allies and rivals has gathered pace.
The PPP has contacted the PML-N and the PML-Q while the PML-N has indirectly contacted the Q-League through its presidential candidate. Asif Ali Zardari formally made a telephonic contact with Nawaz Sharif, his first since the PML-N pulled out of the ruling coalition, to get his party’s support. But Sharif refused to oblige.
The PML-Q, which was being described as a political non-entity till a few weeks back, has suddenly gained importance for the two major parties and both the PPP and the PML-N are trying to court its support for their presidential candidates.
Asif Ali Zardari sent Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Syed Khursheed Shah and Adviser to the PM on Industries Manzoor Wattoo to the Punjab House and in the course of the meeting Zardari made a telephonic contact with Nawaz Sharif and offered him to rejoin the coalition. He also requested him to withdraw Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui from the presidential election. “But Nawaz Sharif said that we have drifted too far apart and that the PML-N stood firm on its demand for the restoration of the deposed judges,” sources said.
In another development Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani contacted PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Pervez Elahi to get their support for Asif Ali Zardari.
Sources indicated that the prime minister would meet the Chaudhry brothers in Lahore today (Friday) and they were hopeful of ‘positive outcome’ of the meeting that would take place at the State Guest House.
The PML-N too has indirectly contacted Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain through its presidential candidate Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui but he did not give any positive response to him.Sources said Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain clearly told Justice (Retd) Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui that they would not withdraw their candidate in favour of any other candidate.
Meanwhile, talking to newsmen at the PML-Q Central Secretariat, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain confirmed that the PML-N’s presidential candidate had contacted him for PML-Q’s support in the upcoming presidential polls.
However, he said the PML-Q will not withdraw its candidate and will contest the election.In reply to a question, Shujaat did not rule out the possibility of ‘positive outcome’ of the indirect contacts between the two factions of the Muslim League but insisted that the leadership of the PML-N should contact his party. However, he said the PML-Q would maintain its identity.
The PML-Q chief said he saw no harm in party-to-party contacts and termed it a normal phenomenon in the world of politics.The PML-Q’s presidential candidate Mushahid Hussain Sayed who was also present on the occasion said the PPP’s Co-chairman is still facing charges of laundering $60 million which, he said, make his (Asif Zardari’s) candidature questionable. “I challenge both the presidential candidates for a live debate on the policies for the people of Pakistan,” he added.
Mushahid wondered how they could fulfill promises made to the nation if they did not keep pledges to each other. “Our party is the party of the people, youth and the middle class and represents the feelings of the people of the country. Our party is the party of the founder of Pakistan,” the PML-Q secretary general said.
Meanwhile, talking to newsmen, PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal confirmed that Mian Nawaz Sharif had refused to rejoin the ruling coalition. “It has been conveyed to the PPP co-chairman that the PML-N will not withdraw its presidential candidate,” he added.
In reply to question a he said the PML-N had joined the government in order to seek restoration of the deposed judges to the pre-November 03, 2007 position, impeachment and ousting of the dictator and repealing of 17th amendment which was meant only to facilitate the dictator and a typical ‘individual specific’ articulation.
He said the PML-N, after pulling out of the coalition, would keep playing constructive role sitting on the opposition benches. “The focus of our politics is our resolve to serve the nation in a selfless manner and to promote the politics of principles,” he added.
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