By Mian Abrar in Pakistan Today, Sept 10, 2023
ISLAMABAD: Amid rumours of ‘across the board accountability’ in the country, former president and co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari on Friday reached Karachi after concluding Dubai visit.
Asif Zardari reached Karachi from Dubai through a private plane. He was in Dubai for the past few days where he underwent medical check-up, along with some high-profile political meetings.
According to sources, PPP leader Dr Asim Hussain also returned to Karachi from Dubai along with Asif Zardari.
Meanwhile, the PML-N sources claim that former premier and PML-N leader is also returning to Pakistan next month after spending four years in exile as the country grapples with economic turmoil and political uncertainty with the date for fresh general elections yet to be decided.
It was Nawaz himself who ended months of speculations after he confirmed his return plans during a meeting with party leaders and workers in London, albeit without revealing the exact date.
Sharif had reached London on November 19, 2019 as he fell critically ill in prison. However, later this ailment proved false as Sharif did not consult any hospital nor he underwent complete checkup.
His return, however, is considered critical to the chances of PML-N winning the upcoming elections as the party dented its own chances — thanks to skyrocketing price hike during the 16-month stint of the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government.
Earlier, it was reported that the PML-N had decided to employ an aggressive strategy in the next general elections, as party sources said the responsibility “to carry out attack” against his adversaries had been mainly assigned to Maryam Nawaz – the PML-N vice-president known for her hardline stance and considered the ultimate crowd puller after her father who will also be following this approach.
Under this strategy, the PML-N election campaign will evolve around exposing the conspiracies hatched and vendetta faced by the party leaders and targeting some important personalities while sharing secret audio recordings and other documentary evidences.
The purpose of this is to explain the factors behind the conspiracies against the elder Sharif and her daughter who doesn’t mince words while explaining her point of view – the factor differentiating their politics with that of Shehbaz who believes in a conciliatory approach.
On the other hand, Shehbaz and his son Hamza Shehbaz – who enjoyed a brief stint as the Punjab chief minister – will focus to handle the ties with the establishment and share the development work carried out by the party during its government tenures, the sources said.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive campaign would be launched on mainstream and social media before and after the return of elder Sharif who is now scheduled to fly back home in October.
As far as the cooperation with other political parties is concerned, any decision about alliance or seat adjustment would be made by the elder Sharif.
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2023/09/09/amid-rumours-of-across-the-board-accountability-asif-zardari-arrives-karachi-nawaz-sharif-to-land-back-next-month/
