Nawaz Sharif would be willing to rejoin the coalition only if his party’s stated position on the judges issue and the presidential elections is accepted and implemented.
But as things are not proceeding accordingly, his party is keenly looking forward to challenge Asif Ali Zardari’s entry into the presidency through possible judicial intervention.
Some pro-PML-N lawyers are expected to approach the superior judiciary if the PML-N fails to convince the chief election commissioner to reject the nomination papers of Asif Ali Zardari for the office of president. As the candidatures of Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif were challenged in the superior judiciary during the recent by-elections and the former was disqualified as well, Asif Ali Zardari’s case would be challenged if the Election Commission clears the PPP co-chairman for the presidency race.
Though still in shock for what he had experienced during the recent months and how he was repeatedly betrayed despite written agreements by the PPP top leadership on the judges’ issue, the PML-N Quaid is considered a stumbling block by some of his party leaders, who are eager to welcome what they call the aspiring Chaudhrys of Gujrat into the PML-N.
Sources said that the PML-N Quaid was not interested to shake hands with the Chaudhrys of Gujrat and some other leading pro-Musharraf Q-Leaguers of the past. Nawaz Sharif has reportedly told his party that he would not accept those who were hand in glove with the fallen dictator during his eight-year rule. For other Q-Leaguers, the doors of the PML-N are open, the PML-N sources said.
Some of the PML-N leaders are interested to greet the Chaudhrys, arguing that amidst the fast changing ground realities of the country’s politics it is high time to forget and forgive. But Nawaz Sharif is seen as a stumbling block. "It would be like giving indemnity to the wrongdoings of Musharraf and his cronies," a source quoted Nawaz Sharif as saying.
Some of the PML-N leaders claim that the Chaudhrys are desperate to join the PML-N and get their past sins washed. However, the PML-Q leaders, in their statements, are insisting that the party is not being merged with the PML-N rather it would remain a separate entity.
The PML-N Quaid, the sources said, showed his abhorrence towards the government’s move to reappoint the eight judges of the Sindh High Court and believed that it was a move to sabotage the ongoing movement for the independence of the judiciary.
Although Nawaz Sharif is extremely disappointed with Asif Ali Zardari, he is said to be ready to rejoin the coalition only if all the deposed judges are restored to the Nov 2 position. As far as the presidential election is concerned, either Asif Ali Zardari withdraws in favour of a consensus apolitical candidate or the 17th Amendment is scrapped before the poll.
While PML-Q MPs have been meeting Nawaz Sharif in recent days, several Fata MPs met the PML-N Quaid on Wednesday at the Punjab House in Islamabad, raising some eyebrows.