PML-N, ‘Q’ enter a marriage of convenience

Through a surprising way, onetime staunch rival Muslim League factions – the PML-N and the PML-Q – entered into an alliance on the eve of the Senate elections, schedule to be held on Friday.
According to the latest development, the two parties agreed on fielding of two aspirants from each party in the Senate elections.
The decision was announced during a press conference at the residence of PML-Q provincial chief Amir Muqam on Wednesday. PML-N leader Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan was also present.
Nomination for the Senate election from both parties was made through a toss. The general and technocrat seats went to Nisar Mohammad Khan and Zafar Iqbal Jaghra of the PML-N whereas PML-Q’s Tahira Bokhari became a joint nominee on the women’s seat and Gulzari Lal on a minority seat.
All seven PML-Q MPA’s are divided as two of them have publicly backed the candidature of All Pakistan Muslim League’s Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, while some of them are likely to back Adviser to Prime Minister Qasim Shah, who was nominated on a general seat by the party’s central president, Shujaat Hussain.
However, there seems to be complete unity amongst the ranks of the PML-N’s 14 MPAs. The PML-N might be considered a beneficiary of the alliance as it made eth victory of its nominee on the general seat definite.
Through such a surprising alliance between the two parties, the major opposition party in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, became isolated. The JUI-F also fielded one candidate each against the general, technocrat and women seats.
The JUI has a squad of 14 MPAs. Senator Talha Mehmood is considered the most influential and he likely to please all these 14 MPs, which is essential for his second-time victory.
On the other hand, the coalition partners in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government are making ensuring the victory of its candidates. The ANP fielded six candidates whereas the PPP nominated five. The ANP nominees included Azam Khan Hoti, Shahi Said Khan and Baaz Mohammad Khan on general seats, Ilyas Bilour on technocrat and Zahida Khan on women’s seat. The PPP candidates included Ahmad Hassan Khan, Saifullah Bangash and Shah Faisal Afridi on general, Farhatullah Babar on technocrat and Robina Khalid on women seat.
Certain PPP lawmakers were disappointed when the party’s high command asked Shamroz Khan Jadoon to withdraw in favour of Shah Faisal. Shah Faisal belongs to Khyber Agency and his family is familiar with making heavy investments in politics. Shamroz Khan has decided to disassociate from the PPP but he will announce his decision on completion of the Senate election process.
Now the fate of almost all candidates, particularly from the PPP and the JUI-F depends on strategies of eight independent and three PPP-S MPAs. There are apprehensions of “sale and purchase” on the eve of Senate elections, therefore these 11 are considered the most “important”.
According to the existing position of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, the ruling ANP, holding majority seats with 52 whereas the PPP have a squad of 31 MPs. All eight independent candidates are also occupying the opposition benches and on such grounds the total strength of treasury benches in the House of 124 is 91. But almost all of independents claim that they are free in the Senate polls, thus generating chances of horse-trading.
It is ironic to mention that Pervez Khattak has recently joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf. Khattak was not available for comments nor was he attending any meetings of MPs in connection with the Senate elections but reportedly he plays an active role in “heals and deals”, therefore making uncertain high command of both the coalition partners.