To portray an image of being a truly democratic party in the eyes of the United States, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to distance itself from parties such as the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), Sipah-e-Sahaba and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ)
The PML-N has been accused of being a sympathiser of pro-Taliban religious and terrorist parties due to which the west and the US have reservations about it. At the national level, it also faced strong criticism because of its association with the ASWJ, Sipah-e-Sahaba and LeJ. These organisations were held responsible for different terrorist attacks in the country, including suicide bombings, and targeting the armed forces, sensitive installations, and Shias in Balochistan, the northern areas and Karachi.
Punjab has been declared a safe haven for Punjabi Taliban and LeJ by many. There is no doubt that once the LeJ, being an ally of the PML-N, enjoyed a free hand in the province. Other provinces alleged that terrorist activities in their areas were initiated in Punjab.
Former provincial minister Rana Sanaullah’s close association with these organisations and Punjab chief minister’s statement declaring the Taliban and PML-N being on the same page cannot be ignored in this regard.
Diplomats from different countries have expressed their reservations to the party leadership about its sympathetic views on the Taliban and terrorist organisations, especially after attacks on Christians in Punjab.
Reviewing the situation, the PML-N has decided to put on the face of a liberal democratic party, which is a healthy sign. Shahbaz Sharif’s statement criticising the timing of the Pak-Iran gas pipeline was also meaningful and drew attention of the west and the US. But the PML-N circles clarified that they would not oppose any project that would benefit the people of Pakistan.
New entries from the PML-Q and Pervez Musharaf’s team into the PML-N have played a major role in the policy shift. They made the party leadership realise that the party was suffering from its fundamentalist and pro-Taliban views, reported a daily newspaper.
A PML-N leader disclosed they had strong opposition from the party over this shift as some elements linked it with religion but they had been told that this shift had nothing to do with religion.
Shahbaz Sharif has liberal views and played a major role in bringing about this shift and resultantly, the PML-N will not make an alliance with extremists, it was reported. Senator Pervaiz Rashid declared it as their election strategy and said the party had contested two elections on its own without going into any alliance. He denied the impression that they were doing this to please the US and the west.
It is not a question about distancing from the extremists but a question of purging them from within.
Totally agreed. They receive serious funding from people associated with or sympathizers of extremist parties.
CLEAN YOURSELF FIRST MR SHARIF
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