LAHORE
A clear divide is visible within PML-Q (Likeminded) on the issue of bridging alliance with PML-N as a sizable chunk within the group is against the PML-N and wants alliance with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Headed by Saleem Saif Ullah Khan, PML-Q (Likeminded) a split group from the PML-Q, led by Ch Shujjat Hussain is facing further division as there is a major chunk within the party which is voicing against entering in alliance with PML-N.
Saleem Saif Ullah Khan has held a number of meetings with PML-N president Mian Nawaz Sharif, giving a strong message that they are entering in alliance with the Nawaz league. Recently, Nawaz Sharif visited the residence of Saleem Saif Ullah and both leaders discussed the nitty-gritty of contesting coming election from a single platform. In this regard, they also constituted a committee - with members like Ishaq Dar Mehtab Abbasi, Khursheed Kasuri and Hamayun Akhtar. PML-N sources confirmed that there was consensus between PML-N and PML-Q (Likeminded) on the issue of alliance and contesting the coming election from a single platform.
Insiders claimed that Hamayun Akhtar was a driving force behind PML-Q (Likeminded) who wanted his group to enter in alliance with PML-N at any cost.
Even Hamayun confirmed that they were in alliance with PML-N, and were likely to contest coming polls from the same platform. Nevertheless, there are a number of people within the group who are against alliance with PML-N and are of the opinion that the group will not be hijacked by a single person who wants to contest polls on PML-N ticket. They take decision for collective interest of the group, they claim. PML-Q (Likeminded) is constituted of different groups - like some of its members come from the defunct PML (Junejo) group, including Hamid Nasir Chatha and Mian Muhammad Asif. Hamid Nasir was once considered an arch rival of Nawaz Sharif and his alliance with PPP deprived PML-N of its government in Punjab when Manzoor Wattoo was made Chief Minister in Punjab due to split within PML. Hamid Nasir Chatha and Mian Asif still did not like Nawaz Sharif much as they had always been polls apart.
Moreover, they still believe that Nawaz Sharif would not accommodate them during elections, and they do not want Hamayun to maneuver the situation just for his personal interest, ignoring others.
Talking to The News, Mian Muhammad Asif, Provincial Information Secretary, PML-Q (Likeminded), claimed that the group had not yet decided about any alliance with the PML-N. He was of the view that they had not yet convened any meeting to decide whether or not to form alliance with anyone.
Regarding meetings of Saleem Saif Ullah with Nawaz, he said the group was yet to be taken into confidence on it. He claimed that Hamid Chatha, and even Khursheed Kasuri, were against alliance with the PML-N. They had held a number of meetings with Imran Khan, he said and added that there was likelihood that they might enter into alliance with him for the coming polls. They had decided to convene the steering committee meeting of the group immediately after the return of Saleem Saif Ullah from London, he said. The meeting would discuss the possibilities of the alliance (s), he added, claiming that the group members would convey their reservations during the meeting and any decision regarding the issue of alliance would be taken after consensus.
Source :http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=65859&Cat=5
A clear divide is visible within PML-Q (Likeminded) on the issue of bridging alliance with PML-N as a sizable chunk within the group is against the PML-N and wants alliance with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Headed by Saleem Saif Ullah Khan, PML-Q (Likeminded) a split group from the PML-Q, led by Ch Shujjat Hussain is facing further division as there is a major chunk within the party which is voicing against entering in alliance with PML-N.
Saleem Saif Ullah Khan has held a number of meetings with PML-N president Mian Nawaz Sharif, giving a strong message that they are entering in alliance with the Nawaz league. Recently, Nawaz Sharif visited the residence of Saleem Saif Ullah and both leaders discussed the nitty-gritty of contesting coming election from a single platform. In this regard, they also constituted a committee - with members like Ishaq Dar Mehtab Abbasi, Khursheed Kasuri and Hamayun Akhtar. PML-N sources confirmed that there was consensus between PML-N and PML-Q (Likeminded) on the issue of alliance and contesting the coming election from a single platform.
Insiders claimed that Hamayun Akhtar was a driving force behind PML-Q (Likeminded) who wanted his group to enter in alliance with PML-N at any cost.
Even Hamayun confirmed that they were in alliance with PML-N, and were likely to contest coming polls from the same platform. Nevertheless, there are a number of people within the group who are against alliance with PML-N and are of the opinion that the group will not be hijacked by a single person who wants to contest polls on PML-N ticket. They take decision for collective interest of the group, they claim. PML-Q (Likeminded) is constituted of different groups - like some of its members come from the defunct PML (Junejo) group, including Hamid Nasir Chatha and Mian Muhammad Asif. Hamid Nasir was once considered an arch rival of Nawaz Sharif and his alliance with PPP deprived PML-N of its government in Punjab when Manzoor Wattoo was made Chief Minister in Punjab due to split within PML. Hamid Nasir Chatha and Mian Asif still did not like Nawaz Sharif much as they had always been polls apart.
Moreover, they still believe that Nawaz Sharif would not accommodate them during elections, and they do not want Hamayun to maneuver the situation just for his personal interest, ignoring others.
Talking to The News, Mian Muhammad Asif, Provincial Information Secretary, PML-Q (Likeminded), claimed that the group had not yet decided about any alliance with the PML-N. He was of the view that they had not yet convened any meeting to decide whether or not to form alliance with anyone.
Regarding meetings of Saleem Saif Ullah with Nawaz, he said the group was yet to be taken into confidence on it. He claimed that Hamid Chatha, and even Khursheed Kasuri, were against alliance with the PML-N. They had held a number of meetings with Imran Khan, he said and added that there was likelihood that they might enter into alliance with him for the coming polls. They had decided to convene the steering committee meeting of the group immediately after the return of Saleem Saif Ullah from London, he said. The meeting would discuss the possibilities of the alliance (s), he added, claiming that the group members would convey their reservations during the meeting and any decision regarding the issue of alliance would be taken after consensus.
Source :http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=65859&Cat=5
