After reports of crackdown on Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders and government officials considered close to the party, sources privy to the developments claim that former president Asif Ali Zardari is not happy with the establishment and is reconsidering his options.
Journalist Nadia Naqi says that the first shock for PPP came when they couldn’t find any space in the caretaker setup. Now there are reports that MQM is being given a bigger role in Sindh, she says.
In these circumstances, PPP is more likely to form an electoral alliance with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rather than PMLN, which is also reportedly being favoured by the establishment alongside MQM for the federal government, Naqi said while discussing the recent political developments on Naya Daur TV’s flagship programme ‘Khabar Say Aagay (Beyond the Headlines)’.
Sajjad Anwar, senior political analyst, opined that PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s undemocratic attitude has forced his opponents to work more closely with the establishment while the former premier remains in jail after falling out of favour with the all-powerful military.
He added that PPP was not the only party being targeted by the establishment. PMLN’s faction led by Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif has also been marginalised over the past several months, he said.
“Shehbaz Sharif is clearly the favoured candidate right now for heading a government in the centre but Nawaz Sharif and Maryam are unlikely to get any favours any time soon. The Shehbaz faction will assert its dominance over the faction led by Nawaz more visibly after the election.”
Senior lawyer Jahangir Khan Jadoon also shared his views on Beyond the Headlines regarding the legal challenges faced by PTI chairman Imran Khan. He said that Imran Khan was on judicial remand in the cipher case and he will be made a part of the inquiry from his prison for now.
He added that the trial will be complete soon and Imran Khan will be convicted while still being in jail.
“The former prime minister may get bail in other cases but he is unlikely to secure one in the Al-Qadir case after NAB law amendments.”
Jadoon, however, stressed the need for keeping the case proceedings transparent and free of technical glitches because that would taint the entire legal process and be a cause of embarrassment for the country internationally.
The show was hosted by Raza Rumi. Beyond the Headlines airs on Youtube channel Naya Daur TV Monday to Saturday at 9 PM.