The PML(N) faces internal dissensions while the policies pursued by its leadership have isolated it from other political parties. With general elections due after two years, the party appears to be in thick soup.
Despite its claims of being an all Pakistan party, the PML(N) remains confined to Punjab and KP. It has no presence in Sindh Assembly while its existence in Balochistan is hardly noticeable. During the last three years Mian Nawaz Sharif has not undertaken any extensive tour of the interior Sindh. His interaction with Baloch leaders and political workers has remained confined to those only who called on him in Lahore. In Punjab and KP serious differences have emerged in the party over the last three years without any worthwhile attempt to resolve them. In South Punjab which remains the party’s vulnerable point, Makhdum Javed Hashmi has emerged as a major dissenter. He has now called on Sharif brothers to apologise to the nation for brokering a deal with Pervez Musharraf, thus crossing a red line. Violating the party policy, Hashmi recently joined a sit-in against the drone attacks at the call of Imran Khan further inviting the leadership’s ire. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the party faced a virtual split when it agreed to the new name for the province. It thus lost support in Hazara, its erstwhile stronghold. The rift in the KP party has led to the loss of a crucial NA seat earlier held by it to JUI (F).
The PML(N) has no ally. Compared to it the PPP enjoys the support of the ANP while it is seeking an alliance with the PML(Q) in order to trying to retain the support of the MQM and bringing back the JUI(F) to the coalition. During his exile Mian Nawaz Sharif vowed to reject all those who had left the party. Months after returning to Pakistan he softened his stand by agreeing to accept a number of deserters but vowed never to have dealings with the Chaudharys and their inner circle. However, the PML(Q) dissidents in the Punjab Assembly were never accepted whole-heartedly. Parties like Jamaat-e-Islami, Tehrik-e-Insaf which were once supportive of the PML(N) are now among its bitter opponents. As Mian Nawaz Sharif returns to Pakistan he will have enough problems to deal with.
