ISLAMABAD: Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president and former prime minister, termed Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari a “young brother”, a day after the young politicians advised his party’s supremo to “focus on Lahore”.

“Bilawal Bhutto is like a younger brother. We have worked together for 16 months,” he said, citing their collaboration under the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition government. The senior politician’s comment came during a press conference in Quetta, where PML-N leaders, including Nawaz, gathered to meet with Balochistan-based political parties ahead of the elections in February 2024.

The former prime minister’s statement was made in response to his ex-foreign minister’s comment advising Nawaz to “focus on Lahore”, instead of looking towards other provinces in the country, particularly pointing at his interest in Sindh in the run-up to the upcoming general polls on February 8 next year.

“Mian sahib has been suggested to go to other provinces. I suggest he should stay in Lahore,” said the former foreign minister while addressing a presser in Mithi,” Bilawal said, addressing a presser in Mithi a day ago. He added that the PML-N supremo should address issues that exist in Punjab instead of going towards other provinces. The PPP chief urged PML-N to do politics on its own instead of relying on others.

The party has begun swift efforts towards seat adjustment in the country’s southern province, as it eyes to form a coalition government in Sindh if it manages to secure majority votes. A PML-N delegation comprising its leadership visited Karachi last Sunday and shared their intention regarding seat adjustment. “We should move towards mature politics. Crying and blaming will do nothing,” the PML-N president said, responding to a question on Bilawal’s statement.

The former premier urged politicians to reflect on their own actions and analyse where mistakes were made. Shehbaz also maintained that the nation will accept whoever the people elect as the next prime minister, as his party is rallying for Nawaz’s name for the coveted post.

The veteran politico, on his Balochistan visit after meeting leaders of provincial political parties, resolved to bring prosperity to the province, which remains deprived of better infrastructure when compared to the rest of the country.

“We have to solve economic and social problems together,” he said, urging Baloch politician Sardar Lashkari Raisani last associated with the Balochistan National Party (BNP) to join PML-N. He said Raisani joining the party will strengthen it. “The political elite has joined PML-N. We have met the leaders of Balochistan’s political parties have met. I am very satisfied.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 16 2023

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