ISLAMABAD, March 6: A reunion is in the making after almost a decade, with two major political families of the crisis-hit Punjab trying to sort out their differences.

A senior PML-Q leader told Dawn that Mian Nawaz Sharif and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain were expected to meet before the election of Senate chairman and deputy chairman due on March 12.

“The date and venue is yet to be decided. But the meeting between Mian Nawaz Sharif and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain will take place very soon,” confirmed PML-Q secretary-general Mushahid Hussain Sayed.

The disqualification of the Sharif brothers by the apex court took the tension between Sharifs and President Asif Zardari to a new height. The imposition of governor’s rule and attempts to create a forward bloc in the PML-N only worsened the situation.

The PML-Q leadership was divided over which side to support in Punjab, with the Chaudhrys of Gujrat, especially Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, being in favour of joining hands with the People’s Party and demanding the slot of chief minister.

But sources said that after an open revolt by over 30 Q-League MPAs who formed a forward bloc, the party leadership had to change its stance. The Chaudhrys have been advised by the close aides that an alliance with the PPP would not yield the desired results.

The N-League has already shown the strength of over 200 MPAs in Punjab. In order to form its government it requires 186 MPAs. The People’s Party has a few more than 100 MPAs in Punjab. It faces the mammoth task of winning over additional 80 MPAs to form its government. The Q-League alone may not be of much help since its real strength, after the formation of the forward bloc, stands at around 50 MPAs.

The sources said that in view of the changed situation Chaudhry Shujaat sent Senator Tariq Azeem to meet Nawaz Sharif and discuss the possibility of an alliance. “Yes I have met Mian Nawaz Sharif. The meeting was cordial. We discussed the political situation. We also discussed the possibility of an alliance between the N-League and Q-League,” Mr Azeem told Dawn.

He refused to share details, saying he had to brief his party president first before divulging any information to the media.

The sources said that the Chaudhrys of Gujrat were cautiously weighing their options while preparing ground for formal contacts with the mother party. They are also keeping the door open for dialogue with the People’s Party.

“We want political reconciliation in the country. But at the same time, we don’t want to join the dirt you see in Punjab,” observed Mushahid Hussain.
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