PML-N fails to reach accord with PML-Q, MQM-P on seat adjustment

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has failed to reach any agreement with the Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid (PML-Q) and Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (PML—N) on seat adjustment in the elections 2024.

Following the PML-N’s decision to field candidates in Punjab’s Gujrat district, the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) has announced the cancellation of its seat adjustment plans with the PML-N, just weeks before the highly anticipated general elections scheduled for February 8.

In a statement released on Friday, the PML-Q accused the PML-N of adopting double standards by contesting in Gujrat, which is considered a stronghold for the PML-Q in Punjab. The decision was made during a meeting chaired by PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

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Chaudhry Salik Hussain, the PML-Q’s Senior Vice President and Shujaat’s son, was of the view that the PML-N, led by Shehbaz Sharif, fielded candidates in areas where the PML-Q had desired representation. He emphasized that the party leadership decided not to be subjected to double standards and stated, “If PML-N will compete with us, we will prefer to stand with our colleagues.”

In another surprising turn of events ahead of the February 8 general elections, the PML-N and the MQM-P failed to reach an agreement on seat adjustment in the National Assembly constituency NA-242 (District Keamari).

In a recent development, the PML-N, the former ruling party, withdrew the nomination papers of its President Shehbaz Sharif from NA-242 at the last minute. Instead, they fielded Khawaja Shoaib in the constituency, pitting him against MQM-P Senior Deputy Convener Syed Mustafa Kamal, the former mayor of Karachi.

Earlier, speculations circulated on mainstream and social media suggesting that MQM-P might withdraw Kamal from NA-242 in favor of PML-N.

Confirming the decision, PML-N leader Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, speaking to journalists outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), stated that Shehbaz Sharif would not contest from NA-242, citing a limitation on candidates contesting for more than two seats. He added, “I have come to withdraw the nomination papers of Shehbaz Sharif.”

In response, MQM-P gave the green light to Ali Khursheedi to contest the upcoming elections from PS-119 (Karachi-West).