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PML-Q defeated by early returns of Benazir, Nawaz: Sherpao

* PPP-S chairman says federal govt never ‘favoured’ his party
* Does not rule out joining coalition govt at centre, provincial levels

By Iqbal Khattak

PESHAWAR: Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao (PPP-S) Chairman Aftab Ahmed Sherpao has said that Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto’s respective returns from exile were the primary cause of defeat of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) in the February 18 elections.

The former PML-Q coalition partner said, “I think the two leaders’ return before elections made the difference.” Talking to Daily Times after winning the NA-8 and PF-20 seats from Charsadda, he said the PML-Q had initially been “given assurances” that the two opposition leaders would not return before the general elections. However, he did not comment on why the two were allowed to return.

On the PML-Nawaz’s emergence as the second-largest party in the National Assembly, Sherpao said, “Nawaz was clear on issues and he used [the] judicial issue very well.”

The PPP-S was a coalition partner in the federal government, but survived the “anti-Musharraf wave” and won five provincial and 1 National Assembly seat. In 2002, the party had won 10 provincial and two National Assembly seats.

Never favoured: Sherpao claimed the federal government had never “favoured” his party, adding that all “favours” had been bestowed upon the PML-Q. He also predicted that the split in the house between the PPP and the PML-N had convinced him that fresh elections would come “sooner rather than later”. “In a coalition government, you have certain difficulties. To keep the majority intact you have to accept undue demands. A common policy is needed but we have divergent views on (how to fight) extremism,” he said. “So, the next elections are in near future,” he added.

Does not rule out: On the future of the PPP-S, the former interior minister said, “I will go to the National Assembly to serve the people.” He did not rule out becoming part of a coalition government, either in Peshawar or Islamabad, saying that it would depend on the situation. Sherpao said the so-called war on terror would take a long time before it was won. “Extremism will take a long time to eliminate. This is a problem we have to live with,” he added.

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