THE leaders of two major government parties are expected to spend Eid in Dubai — a development being framed as a ‘coincidence’ by both sides, but one that simply cannot be shrugged off, given the political realities of the country. Nawaz Sharif is reported to be in Dubai for a few weeks with his daughter Maryam Nawaz; his travel plans also include a trip to Saudi Arabia. Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, too, are in Dubai, where they have family. The arrival of the senior political figures in the UAE at the same time has triggered much speculation. There had been no meeting between Mr Sharif and Mr Zardari for at least four years. This is an opportunity for the two gentlemen, who currently enjoy cordial ties, to have a one-on-one meeting, if they haven’t had one already, about their respective political futures. There is a lot of conjecture about whether the two sides will discuss an electoral alliance, though the PPP had publicly ruled out the possibility earlier. There are also rumours that Mr Sharif and Mr Zardari may mull over poll dates and candidates for a caretaker set-up.

The other major development that has taken place is the passage of an amendment to Election Act, 2017, which effectively abolishes the lifetime disqualification of lawmakers under Article 62(1)(f). With the acting president signing it into law, the amendment will pave the way for Mr Sharif’s return to politics — a hope that he has held on to since he was disqualified and removed from office in 2017. PML-N insiders told this paper last week that he is eager to contest the next general election if the legal hurdles are overcome, and this new development has cleared a difficult challenge that for years had ruled him out of politics. As the two sides meet to discuss the country’s political future, there is no doubt each will have its eye on the prize: triumph in the polls. The reality of such meetings, however, is that they are non-transparent, so events that unfold after the Eid break will be an indicator of what was discussed. Meanwhile, with Mr Sharif poised to return, Mr Zardari confident of his position, and the PTI largely out of the running, there is no doubt that the gloves will soon be coming off to end the bonhomie.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2023