PML-N fails to woo Zardari through Fazl

• The ruling party is making all-out efforts to break ‘grand opposition’ alliance and isolate the PTI
• Zardari is hopeful of PPP’s government in Punjab in general elections
• PML-N ready to give post of Senate chairman, share in Balochistan government in case it reaches settlement with PPP

LAHORE: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has failed to woo the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) as PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari remains adamant on opposing the ruling party.

Following the reports of cracks in the ‘grand alliance’ led by Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), comprising Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the PPP, the ruling party has started to cash in the fissures.

The PML-N has given the task to convince the PPP to its allies Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) head Mehmood Khan Achakzai and party leader and Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif.

In a meeting that had taken place between Zardari and Fazl the other day at Bilawal House, Fazl was failed to convince the PPP leader to give up his anti-government stance. However, the PML-N still has hopes as Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah, PPP leaders Naveed Qamar and Ijaz Jakhrani have a soft corner for the PML-N and they are also trying to convince the PPP co-chief.

On the other hand, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif is asking PPP leader Farooq H Naik to convince Zardari. It has been learnt by Pakistan Today that the ruling party is offering the post of the Senate chairman and a share in Balochistan government in the next elections, if PPP agrees to go soft on the PML-N.

Moreover, the PML-N is making untiring efforts to separate the PPP from the PTI at any cost. The PML-N is hell bent on putting the PTI against the wall and trying its best to shrink the space for the rival party in Punjab—the stronghold of the ruling party.

Even more, some top PPP stalwart also hold the view that the PPP needs the PML-N owing to its no presence in Punjab.

However, Asif Ali Zardari does not share the view of his party leaders. He still has hopes of the PPP rising in Punjab, as he insists on Punjab being the PPP’s stronghold.

Rejecting all the reconciliation offers, Zardari directed the PPP leadership to organise a better rally in Lahore on February 5 at Mochi Gate in order to send out a message that the party is alive and thriving in Punjab.

In a meeting with party’s Punjab leadership, Zardari was disgruntled that the party leaders had failed to bring a max number of party workers to the joint opposition rally.

The sources in the PPP said that Zardari told the meeting that the party has the ability to resurrect itself in Punjab and for this, it does not need the clutches of the Nawaz-led party.

Zardari is hopeful his party will form next government in Punjab as he cited the successful power shows of the PPP in Rawalpindi and Multan. “If PPP Punjab leadership organises public meetings on the pattern of Multan and Rawalpindi, there is no doubt about forming the next government in Punjab,” Zardari was quoted as saying in an immediate party meeting that was held in the aftermath of flop rally at Mall Road.

It may be mentioned here the PAT-led opposition alliance had failed to put a dent in the government’s popularity on Wednesday by gathering at Faisal Chowk of Mall Road. They were demanding resignations from Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Law Minister Rana Sanaullah for their role in the killing of 14 political workers in Model Town in 2014.