PML(N) has scored success in improving its electoral prospects, especially in relation to Sindh, by entering into an alliance with MQM(P) with two parties agreeing to adopt a joint strategy for the forthcoming elections to bring people out of economic and political crises. An announcement to this effect came after a delegation, consisting of senior leaders of MQM(P) and led by its Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui had a meeting with PML(N) leader Mian Nawaz Sharif. They decided to set up a six-member committee to prepare a comprehensive charter to address the problems of Sindh, especially its urban areas. The committee will present final proposals for collaboration between the two parties within 10 days.
There is no doubt that the PML(N) is one of the three largest political parties of the country but it is also a fact that the party has no significant presence in provinces other than Punjab and some regions of KP as it remained on the receiving end during tenure of the last government and also could not focus on its organizational matters. It is part of the overall political culture of the country that the parties and their leaders do not care much on strengthening parties and instead go for ad-hoc arrangements whenever elections are due. The decision of the MQM(P) to enter into an electoral alliance with the PML(N) is understandable as the party lent its support to the PDM on the occasion of no-confidence resolution against the then Prime Minister Imran Khan. The party has a reputation of joining ranks with political forces that are expected to form governments either in Sindh or at the Centre because of its own compulsions and unresolved issues. In this backdrop, the decision of the MQM(P) to contest elections in collaboration with the PML(N) sends a tilted message to others about the post-election scenario and might persuade some other political forces to do so in other provinces. There are already indications of similar alliances in KP and Balochistan as well as in Punjab and the situation would become clear in coming weeks. Former President and PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari has welcomed all those who wish to contest elections against his party but it is a foregone conclusion that the evolving arrangements would significantly dent the electoral prospects of the party both in urban and rural Sindh as JUI(F) of Maulana Fazlur Rehman is also vying for similar but anti-PPP alliances in the province.
