PML-N, PML-F and NPP agree on electoral alliance
27 February, 2013
KARACHI: Three opposition parties, the PML-N, PML-F and NPP (National People's Party) finalised an electoral alliance on Saturday to jointly contest elections throughout Sindh against the ruling PPP.
The announcement was made after a meeting of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif with the leadership of PML-F and NPP at the residence of Syed Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi Pir Pagaro. NPP leader Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi represented the party at the meeting. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Opposition leader in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan accompanied Nawaz Sharif.
Meanwhile, former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali, former Punjab governor Ghulam Mustafa Khar and PML-F Sindh leaders Syed Sadruddin Shah Rashdi and Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh assisted Pir Pagro during the meeting.
Nawaz Sharif said initially three parties have formed the alliance and more parties will be inducted later. He said that nationalist parties of Sindh will also be taken along. Pir Pagara has been authorised to talk with the nationalist parties in this regard. Nawaz Sharif also shared a joint declaration finalised by the three parties. They demanded removal of 'political' governors in the four provinces before the polls to ensure they are free and fair. They also demanded transfer of bureaucrats appointed on political basis in the provinces.
The PML-N president said that a group which had separated from the coalition government wanted to seize control of the interim government. In reply to a question Nawaz said that the elections would be held on time. He added that they wanted to change the system in Sindh.
Nawaz Sharif said that the PPP has withdrawn controversial local government system SPLGO 2012 due to agitation of the opposition parties in Sindh. Therefore, he added, he cannot support its return after coming into power. Speaking on the occasion, Pir Pagara said that the PPP has been wiped out from the other three provinces and will also be eliminated in Sindh due to a strong political alliance.
Pir Pagara said he had formed an alliance with Nawaz Sharif in the interest of the country. He stated that if the PML-F were a greedy party they would have not ended their alliance with the PPP. According to Pagara the government was making plans to rig the upcoming elections. Talking to media persons, Nawaz Sharif demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan take steps to ensure free and fair elections in Karachi, alleging that the MQM's turning towards the opposition at the eleventh hour is an outcome of the PPP-MQM deal to hijack the forthcoming elections.
He said that all the political parties want to contest elections jointly in Karachi. He said that election laws are meaningless if elections are not free and fair. He said that people of Karachi are fed up with politics due to worsening law and order situation in the city. He said that peace can be restored in the city by implementing the Supreme Court's directives given in the Karachi unrest case. Nawaz said Karachi had been taken hostage and no action had been taken regarding the Supreme Court's order on militant wings of political parties. "If action had been taken Shahzeb would not have been murdered."
During his visit to the metropolis he also met the leadership of the Jamaat-e-Islami at the residence of late JI leader Professor Ghafoor Ahmed where he offered Fateha with his family. He also visited former National Assembly speaker Illahi Bux Soomro's residence to offer condolence on the death of his son.
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