News Analysis |
Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar along with Tahir Bashir Cheema and another member of National Assembly (NA) have decided to part ways with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The disgruntled member of the PML-N has demanded a separate province. They accuse the incumbent government of PML-N of ignoring the rights of the people in Southern Punjab.
Bakhtiar had recently joined the hands with Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI’s) leader Jahangir Khan Tareen amid the buzz that former will soon defect to PTI. Both the leaders reportedly purchased Hamza Sugar Mills for Rs 27 billion last month beating an Rs23 billion bid from Chaudhry Munir, a relative of Maryam Nawaz.
The confrontational politics of Nawaz against institutions-military establishment and judiciary has made it clear that security establishment is not favoring PML-N as it apparently did prior to 2013 general elections.
Khusro Bakhtiar was elected as an independent candidate in 2013 elections from NA-194 Rahim Yar Khan-III, and later joined PML-N. Previously, he was unsuccessful on the same seat on PML-Q’s ticket, despite winning for the same party in 2002 general elections. He also served as a Minister of State for foreign affairs in Musharraf regime.
Read more: NAB investigates PML-N’s KPK President over corruption
Legislators Continue to Leave PML-N & PPP for PTI
The dissolution process of PML-N, though, started a while ago, but, recently, it has taken off more vigorously. Apparently, journalists have stopped keeping account of the number of people entering the much-favored Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI), across the country.
This ongoing streak of disgruntled politicians has continued for some time now. The latest buzz is that Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan is in talk with the PTI leaders through a backdoor channel. But, there has not been any formal development in this regard. Despite the meeting with Punjab Chief Minister and PML-N President, Shehbaz Sharif, the differences between the disgruntled Nisar and PML-N are yet to be resolved.
PML-N lawmaker Ramesh Kumar has also joined PTI citing party’s foul language and confrontational politics against judiciary and institutions. In his press conference, along with Imran Khan, he expressed a desire that Nisar will join the party as well.
Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar along with Tahir Bashir Cheema and another member of National Assembly (NA) have decided to part ways with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The disgruntled member of the PML-N has demanded a separate province.
Last year number of lawmakers along with their workers joined PTI. Among those was the former CM Sindh Liaquat Jatoi deserted the PML-N to join PTI. A well knows political ally of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, one of the founding members of PPP and seasoned politician from PPP, Ghulam Mustafa Khar also decided to end his long association with PPP for PTI.
Read more: 3 MNA’s leave PML-N after PM Abbasi remarks
Similarly, a close aide of co-chairman Pakistan People’s Party Asif Ali Zardari Noor Alam joined PTI in May 2017. Moreover, PPP’s, Babar Awan, Firdous Ashiq Awan, Nazar Gondal also joined the PTI last year. In February, PML-N’s member National Assembly (NA) Mian Tariq Mahmood and Member Provincial Assembly Mian Mazhar from Gujranwala joined PTI. On March 2, Dr. Nisar Jatt from Faisalabad left his party, along with lower tier leadership to join hands with PTI.
In last 48-hours- Eight legislators left PML-N
In last 48-hours, eight legislators from Punjab, Sindh, and Baluchistan have parted ways with the ruling party including Bilal Virk, a member of NA from Nankana Sahib, announced he was joining the rival PTI on March 6.
PML-N lawmaker Ramesh Kumar has also joined PTI citing party’s foul language and confrontational politics against judiciary and institutions. In his press conference, along with Imran Khan, he expressed a desire that Nisar will join the party as well.
Moreover, three PML-N MNAs from Balochistan – Khalid Magsi, Jam Kamal, and Mir Dostain Khan Domki also announced their departure from the ruling party. They also accused the PML-N of failing to pay attention to the rudimentary requirements of the province.
Read more: Has PTI and PML-N defamed politics?
In Pakistan’s politics, military backing plays a crucial rule and has become a norm and loosely speaking-a benchmark for ensuring a victory. The confrontational politics of Nawaz against institutions-military establishment and judiciary has made it clear that security establishment is not favoring PML-N as it apparently did prior to 2013 general elections.
PML-N is known to give an impression of military backing, this time around; it doesn’t appear to be the case, despite Shehbaz Sharif’s attempts. The legislators are aware of the fact that tide is not in PML-N’s favor amid grave political and legal challenges facing Nawaz. PTI is the most favored option in given circumstances for legislators, ahead of 2018 general elections.