LAHORE / KARACHI: Pakistan Muslim League-N and Pakistan Peoples Party met in Dubai to decide the schedule of the next general elections in Pakistan, and the shape of the future federal government.
The uncertainty surrounding the next general elections may end soon as the bigwigs of both sides had a detailed discussion. According to sources, Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari met and talked about a number of key issues, including names for the caretaker government. The two sides also discussed who would get which position if the two parties win the next elections.
It is said that Asif Ali Zardari has demanded that in case PML-N wins the election, the position of President will be held by a PPP representative. A PPP leader also claimed that Mr Zardari is also keen to see Bilawal Bhutto as the next prime minister, and both parties might have differences on how to deal with the establishment.
Senior leadership along with Bilawal Bhutto and Maryam Nawaz will celebrate Eid-ul-Adha in Dubai. It is expected that major discussions will further take place, including the controversy over appointments in the National Database & Registration Authority and the Pakistan Cricket Board. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also expected to reach Dubai soon.
There will also be a conversation on the future of Imran Khan and PTI and whether the party should be allowed to contest the elections or to keep them out of the ring.
Note that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a legal team that would work for a swift return of Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan. It is expected that the PML-N supremo will return to Pakistan in September as the elections might take place in October. The National Assembly also passed a bill in which a ban on a politician has been reduced to five years, allowing Nawaz Sharif to take part in elections.