Pakistan: PML-N to form coalition government with small parties spearheaded by Shahbaz Sharif at Centre

On February 21, 2024, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) held talks with smaller parties as part of its efforts to form a coalition government led by party president Shahbaz Sharif at the Centre. Following a power sharing deal with the Pakistan’s Peoples Party (PPP), the PML-N representatives held meetings with Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), Baluchistan Awami Party (BAP), Istekam -e-Party (IPP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) to finalise plans for the coalition government.

Senior Leaders including Kamran Tessori, Mustafa Kamal and Dr Farooq Sattar from the MQM-P and Ishaq Dar, Ayaz Sadiq, Azam Nazir Tarar and Muhammad Ali Khan from the PML-N were present at the talks held in Islamabad according to the statement released issued by the PML-N.

A Pakistani News media agency reported that the PML-N and the MQM-P agreed to collaborate within the government framework. The agreement underscores a commitment to foster reconciliation and cooperation with a focus on enhancing political, democratic and economic stability across the nation.

Central to their discussions was the imperative of ensuring equitable distribution of resources and cooperation, laying the ground work for future deliberations on critical issues such as protection of human rights in Sindh, particularly Karachi and restoration of the port cities economic prominence.

Simultaneously, a meeting between the coordination committees of the PML-N and the BAP convened, affirmed their dedication to addressing the challenges facing Baluchistan, and the federation, according to another statement. Representatives from both parties, including Ishaq Dar, Ayaz Sadiq, Azam Nazir Tarar and Malik Ahmed Khan from the PML-N alongside Khalid Magsi, Sadiq Sanjrani and Kauda Babar from the BAP reiterated their commitment to establish robust democratic government at federal and provincial levels.

A meeting of the PML-N and the IPP leaders was held in Islamabad, where the IPP President Allem Khan was present while Ishaq Dar led the PML-N team. Khan assured full and unconditional support to the PML-N at the federal and provincial levels, according to a separate statement. Separately delegates from the PML-N and JUI-F met for talks regarding government formation in the Baluchistan province.

According to sources, the JUI-F sought support to form a government, but the PML-N refused to oblige by saying that it had already agreed with the PPP to form a coalition government in Baluchistan. However, the PML-N and the JUI-F in statement underscored the necessity of collaborative efforts towards the prosperity of Baluchistan, affirming their cooperation towards the shared goal.

Both the MQM-P and the BAP have already pledged for support for the coalition government of the PML-N with Shahbaz Sharif as the Prime Minister. However, the JUI-F refused to become part of the government at the federal level.