PML-N to reverse boycott decision soon

There are reports coming in from a number of news agencies that PML-N will very soon reverse their decision to boycott and succumb to the demands of their party stalwarts and contest the election. I truly feel that contesting the elections will only provide Musharraf with even more legitimacy to continue his reign on this country, he conveniently screwed up the Judiciary to pave his way to another term as the President of Pakistan, he claims to be holding free and fair elections but sadly how can anyone fall for this fib when the entire electoral process is being orchestrated under a Martial Law.

Recently Shahbaz Sharif’s papers were rejected by the returning officer but at the same time the other corrupt leader, Benazir Bhutto, continues fighting under the protection of the NRO standing to be vindicated of all her wrong doings as long as the PCO is promulgated into the constitution of Pakistan, which would effectively wash her slate clean of any wrong doings of corruption. One cannot expect PPP or MQM to work towards an independent judiciary, the PML-Q being the Kings party will not dare to call the foul while Nawaz Sharif has his balls squarely stuck in the grasp of the Saudi King and most importantly playing into the hands of Musharraf to dare utter a squeak. Sad but I see Pakistan headed into yet another sham assembly only to appease one dictators wish to rule a country

Nadeem Syed and Abrar Saeed – LAHORE/ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) has decided to end the boycott of the forthcoming elections and a formal announcement in this regard would be made in next few days. Highly-placed sources in the party disclosed to TheNation in Islamabad Sunday that the decision to take part in the forthcoming elections was made by Mian Nawaz Sharif and Mian Shahbaz Sharif, in consultation with close associates, bowing to the tremendous pressure of the party leaders, mostly in favour of taking part in the elections.

The sources further said that most of the party leaders pressurised the party Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif and party President Mian Shahbaz Sharif to revert the decision of elections boycott and take part in the elections, not leaving ground open for PML (Q) and other parties. The sources also informed that the Central Working Committee meeting of the party, held under the chair of Mian Nawaz Sharif a day ahead of the APDM meeting, showed a clear divide among the party leaders on the issue of boycott of the elections. The majority of the CWC members was against the boycott and held the view that they should defeat the stooges of President Musharraf in the political arena.
The CWC members, who supported the view of participating in the elections, gained further strength when Pakistan Peoples Party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl Group) and Awami National Party decided to take part in the upcoming general elections.

The sources further disclosed that Mian Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, having taken account of the opinion of CWC members, political activists and the requests made by the senior party leaders, held a meeting with close associates and decided to take part in the forthcoming elections. They also revealed that Mian Nawaz Sharif would meet Benazir Bhutto and Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday to meet the pledge, now just a formality, to convince them to boycott the elections. Given the undoubted failure, already written on the wall, he has also planned to announce the end to his boycott of the elections the following week. The Nation has learnt that during recent meeting of partys Central Working Committee (CWC) an overwhelming number of party leaders told Nawaz that boycott was not the right option for the party at this stage.

In view of pressure from the party, Nawaz is expected to reconsider his decision of boycotting the elections. He will also expedite the consultative process in this regard. He will also take APDM leaders into confidence about latest position of the party on the elections. The PML-N leaders believe that leaving the field open and unchecked in the elections will allow the PML-Q to clean sweep the elections, especially from the Punjab besides benefiting the PPP as well at their expense. They also told Nawaz that party had already stayed away from politics and power for considerable period of time. As such staying from power for five more years will be detrimental to the party.

Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif is due to meet PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto on Monday (today). The political circles are watching the outcome of this meeting very closely. The meeting will also shape up Nawaz Sharifs strategy on whether to take part in the elections or stay away. The two are expected to exchange notes on their future political strategy if they manage to make a common cause once again. Benazir Bhutto has already kicked off her election campaign from Peshawer, but kept her options open ended on the elections. She is also ready to meet APDM delegation and listen their viewpoint. It is learnt that after this meeting, a call for APC could also be issued to decide to the fate of elections on collective level. The US Ambassador to Pakistan will meet Nawaz Sharif on Monday morning at his Raiwind residence. Nawaz will leave for Islamabad after this meeting.

Ever since Nawazs return to Pakistan, he steered clear of taking a categorical position on the elections. He earlier announced only conditional boycott of election in case President Musharraf does not heed to the APDM demand to reinstate judges deposed under PCO. More recently, Raja Zafarul Haq and President PML-N Shahbaz Sharif also hinted at reconsidering the party decision to go for a boycott.