LAHORE: Nawaz Sharif is silent on political front these days not because of any alleged deal but because he’s composing himself after the demise of his spouse, says former federal minister and Qaumi Watan Party chief Aftab Ahmed Sherpao.

Talking to the media after condoling with the former prime minister at his Jati Umra residence here on Tuesday, Mr Sherpao said the death of Begum Kulsoom was a major loss for the PML-N supremo, who’s recovering from the grief these days and is avoiding making political statements.

However, some of those making a beeline to the Jati Umra for condoling with Mr Sharif say that he’s busy in bringing together opposition parties on a minimum-possible agenda.

“The former prime minister is approaching opposition parties and figures, including nationalists, for assembling them on a single platform even if it is formed on a one-point agenda,” a political leader, who also called on Mr Sharif on Tuesday, tells Dawn.

Requesting not to be named, he claimed that the ex-premier is also trying to make the Oct 14 by-polls for various national and provincial assembly constituencies a one-to-one contest between the PTI government and opposition candidates and has formed various teams for negotiating with other opposition parties in this respect.

According to him, Raja Zafarul Haq-led PML-N delegation had called on PPP leader Nayyer Hussain Bukhari in Islamabad in this respect for seeking the latter’s support for N League’s nominee in NA-53 by-polls. The seat had been vacated by Prime Minister Imran Khan, who had contested and won from five National Assembly constituencies and preferred to retain his Mianwali seat.

He said Mr Sharif could also join the election campaign if he was not incarcerated again.

Those who condoled with Nawaz Sharif included Pir Pagaro Sibgatullah Rashdi, Syed Ghaus Ali Shah, Muhammad Ali Durrani, Sardar Yaqub Nasir, Senator Mushahid Hussain, Chaudhry Sher Ali, Rana Mashhood, Yousuf Salahuddin and actor Sohail Ahmed.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2018