NA-242 anticipates high-stakes showdown between PML-N, MQM

KARACHI: The constituency NA-242 is of Karachi Keamari-I, and yesterday the appellate tribunal threw out the plea to reject the nomination papers of Shehbaz Sharif from this constituency.

This decision set the stage for a high-stakes political clash between the two ‘friendly’ parties – Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PMLN) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

The coalition, or something less than that, between these two parties have been making headlines with MQM leaders going back and forth about what their alliance with PML-N means, and PML-N explaining that alliance may or may not mean coalition and could just be limited to seat adjustment after the elections.

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For now, however, the latest update on this front is that both the PML-N and the MQM are grappling with the crucial question of who will represent them in the upcoming elections from NA-242.

This constituency NA-242, pits former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif against the former mayor of Karachi Mustafa Kamal. The MQM contends that Kamal has already been actively engaging with voters in the area.

Sources within both parties suggest that the final decision-making power lies in the hands of Shehbaz Sharif from PML-N and Khalid Maqbool from the MQM. The outcome of their deliberations will not only shape the electoral landscape in NA-242 but could also have far-reaching implications for the broader alliance between the PML-N and MQM.

The alliance is facing a litmus test that could either strengthen its bonds or expose underlying tensions.