AFTER brightening electoral prospects of his party in Sindh, PML(N) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif, who recently returned home from London, has scored a point in Balochistan as well, giving a broad hint of the future set-up in the province. During his visit to the province, Nawaz garnered support of dozens of political leaders for his party including former Chief Minister of the province Jam Kamal Khan. As a result of his meetings there, the former Prime Minister was able to enlist support of scores of electables ahead of February 08 general election, a development that might enable the party to emerge as the largest parliamentary party in the post-election scenario in the province.
Balochistan remains unpredictable because of its maverick politics as loyalties are changed overnight and at times MPAs and MNAs even go against party discipline to pursue their self-centred agenda. People witnessed this game time and again which resulted in premature changes in Quetta as members ditched governments in search for greener pastures. Prominent among those who announced their allegiance to PML(N) included Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, Muhammad Khan Lehri, Mir Ghafoor Lehri, Noor Muhammad Dumar, Toor Uthmankhail, Sardar Masood Luni, Sardar Fateh Muhammad Hassani, Mir Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Muhammad Hassani, Saleem Khan Khoso, Mir Shoaib Nowsherwani, Dostain Khan Domki and Rameen Muhammad Hassani. PML(N) is also engaged in talks with other forces like the JUI-F, NP, PKMAP and BAP, consequently improving its prospects for performing well in the next elections. The party also has a track record of initiating major development packages and schemes for the province including multi-dimensional activities under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and it would be in a position to carry forward this mission if given a chance to do so by the people of the province and subject to consistent support from other political entities and influential figures. MNS is, no doubt, on charm visits to different parts of the country but so far his focus is more on electables and not on masses. The strategy might work in increasing the vital numbers in provincial and national assemblies but the kind of problems and challenges facing the country and its people demand that all political parties including PML(N) present their plan of actions to put the country back on the path of progress and development and provide much-needed relief to the masses. The traditional approach of the politicians was highlighted by the untenable counselling of PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto who asked MNS to focus on Lahore rather than visiting other provinces. Elections must be contested on the basis of performance and future plans and not on barb trading.
