Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) President Abdul Aleem Khan unequivocally refuted media reports on Saturday that hinted at a potential seat adjustment deal between his party, led by Jahangir Tareen, and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the upcoming general elections.
Dismissing the earlier claims, Aleem Khan clarified that the discussions between PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and IPP patron-in-chief Tarin had everything to do with goodwill gesture, with no substantive conversations regarding the alleged seat adjustment deal.
In a recent interview, Aleem Khan underscored that the interactions between the political leaders were characterized as “goodwill meetings” and lacked a specific agenda.
He emphasized that any deliberations related to the party’s stance or electoral strategies would necessitate approval from the 30-member central executive committee, highlighting the importance of procedural formality within the party’s decision-making processes.
However, the media reports still claim that a six-member committee has been formed to facilitate the alleged seat adjustment deal between the two parties.
This committee reportedly includes prominent PML-N figures such as Rana Sanaullah, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Khawaja Saad Rafique, along with Aun Chaudhry, Ishaq Khan Khakwani, and Nauman Langrial representing the IPP.
As political parties intensify their preparations for the upcoming polls scheduled for February 8, PML-N is actively engaging in efforts to solidify its position. Recent successes include garnering support from over 30 key political figures in Balochistan and forging a strategic alliance with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan for joint participation in the upcoming elections.
PML-N’s strategic maneuvers and alliances come at a time when allegations from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Peoples Party have emerged, expressing concerns about the perceived imbalance in the political playing field and the absence of equal opportunities for all participating parties.
