While negotiating with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), former Sindh chief minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim wanted the join the party on the condition that it would nominate him the provincial chef executive if it comes into power, but it was turned down.
The PML-N has become active in Sindh and some important political personalities of the province might announce joining the party.
The N-League has formed a committee headed by Rana Mashhud and Ismail Rahu to talk with political personalities of the province to woo them into joining the party.
According to sources, the committee has started negotiating with Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, former federal minister Liaquat Jatoi, former provincial minister Maqbool Shaikh, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid central leader Ghous Bux Maher and others.
It was difficult for the PML-N to accept Rahim’s condition as its other leaders, who have remained loyal to the party, would object over this move.
An insider told Pakistan Today that the PML-N has geared up its recruiting efforts before Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf takes the lead.
The PML-N is unsure that it would be able to rope in Maqbool Shaikh and his colleagues because they are already in talks with the PTI.
With party slots available, the province’s feudal class is careful in its negotiations so as to fetch a ‘full price’ for changing loyalties.
The sources disclose that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has agreed to take Liaquat Jatoi into his party’s fold and PML-Q’s Ghous Bux Maher has also agreed to join PML-N and announce his decision soon.
The PML-N committee is also in talks with the ‘habitual party-switcher’ Murad Ali Shah of Naushehro Feroze. Shah has remained in power during every government’s tenure, but this time, he could not avail the chance because he was defeated in the 2008 election. He is also expected to join the PML-N.
PML-N snubs Arbab’s CM condition
