PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi stated on Monday that the political trajectories of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) might be set to diverge. He added that this divergence could herald an interesting phase in Pakistani politics. These remarks were made while speaking to the media outside Islamabad’s Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC).
PDM’s Concerns
Qureshi highlighted that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman seemed unhappy with the ruling PML-N during a press conference a day earlier. He added that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is not an electoral alliance, and Fazl’s remarks may suggest discontent within the PDM about PML-N’s recent actions.
Fazl has expressed concerns about PML-N’s lack of transparency with the PDM regarding its meeting with the PPP in Dubai. According to Fazl, other parties in the PDM are questioning why they were not informed about the meeting.
Read: PDM Chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman Expresses Concerns over Recent PML-N and PPP Meetings
Media reports suggest that PML-N’s supreme leader Nawaz Sharif met with PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in Dubai on June 27 to discuss several matters, including the date for the next general elections and possible seat adjustments. The top leaders also reportedly deliberated over potential caretaker Prime Minister candidates.
Read: PPP Leaders Arrive in Dubai for Meetings, Nawaz Sharif Expected to Return
Status of Qureshi’s Cases
During Monday’s hearing, the court inquired about progress in investigating terrorism cases against Qureshi. The investigating officer informed the court that the investigation was still incomplete. Ali Bukhari, Qureshi’s lawyer, stated that his client’s tweet, part of the case, is not on record.