PML-N, JUI-F forge election alliance after leaders’ meeting

ISLAMABAD: In a significant development ahead of the upcoming elections, the chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced a strategic seat adjustment agreement with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after a meeting with the PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday.

According to Dawn.com, the meeting took place at Nawaz Sharif’s residence in Islamabad, following the former prime minister’s appearance at the Islamabad High Court for corruption proceedings.

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Although there was no official statement from the PML-N regarding the meeting, Maulana Fazl confirmed that both parties had reached an understanding to contest the elections jointly.

Speaking to media, Maulana Fazl emphasised that the JUI-F and PML-N had decided to “walk together in the future.” He recalled their previous collaboration against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan and stressed the importance of fair and equal rules for all parties in the electoral process.

While Maulana Fazl did not specify whether the seat adjustment would be localized or nationwide, Rana Sanaullah, heading the PML-N’s Punjab chapter, mentioned ongoing talks for seat adjustment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Additionally, he revealed plans to attract electables in south Punjab to strengthen the PML-N’s presence.

However, PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui cautioned against premature assumptions about finalised seat adjustments, stating that Nawaz Sharif’s recent return prompted meetings with past allies, including JUI-F, to solidify relationships.

Both parties, facing criticism from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), pledged not to engage in reciprocal attacks.

Maulana Fazl and Rana Sanaullah expressed a commitment to avoid bitterness with the PPP, with the latter urging against targeting PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

In a separate development, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari addressed a workers’ convention in Upper Dir, outlining the PPP’s plans to improve the National Finance Commission award and fully implement devolution under the 18th Amendment if elected.

He criticised former allies and called for unity to address the nation’s challenges, emphasising the PPP’s representation of rural and marginalised areas.

Meanwhile, the PPP’s Balochistan chapter leader announced that Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari would address a grand public gathering in Quetta on November 30 to mark the party’s foundation day.