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LAHORE, March 22: By-election on two National Assembly seats in Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalnagar poses a serious challenge to the unity of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy as the PPP and the PML-N, two major components of the coalition, are thinking of putting up separate candidates, a situation which will benefit the ruling PML-Q.
The MMA, which talks day in and day out for unity among opposition parties, is also thinking of putting up its own candidates. NA-196 (Rahim Yar Khan) fell vacant as Zafar Warraich of the PPP quit the party recently, expressing differences with the leadership.
PPP sources argued that there was an understanding between the major components of the alliance that the seat would go to the party whose candidate would vacate it. And in case the man vacating it belonged to neither, the runners-up would be adopted as a joint candidate.
Going by this formula, the PPP thinks that the ticket for byelection should be awarded to a PPP nominee and other coalition partners should extend their support. But the PML-N is thinking of putting up Chaudhry Jafar Iqbal.
A PPP leader said on Monday that in case the PML-N went ahead with its plan, it would be weakening the alliance. The same is the case with NA-190 (Bahawalnagar) that fell vacant following the death of Abdus Sattar Lalika.
An MMA leader said on Monday the religious alliance would also put up its candidates on both seats. However, he said, adjustment with the ARD could not be ruled out.
MUNIR AHMAD: The head of the PPP's foreign liaison committee, Munir Ahmad Khan, has accused the government of handling the issue of nuclear proliferation 'most thoughtlessly'.
In a press statement here on Monday, he said by making a scapegoat of the scientists, the government had given the international community an opportunity to use the issue against Pakistan at a time of their choice.
Calling for accountability of those responsible for proliferation, irrespective of his status, the PPP leader alleged that scientists were being made scapegoat to cover up the faults of others.
He said if Dr AQ Khan had been pardoned without a trial and conviction, it was the result of some deal struck to protect the real proliferators. He said the president and the prime minister must recognize the role of Ms Benazir Bhutto in getting Pakistan the missile technology.
