PTI, PPP to Form Govt in Pakistan? Nawaz Sharif May Back Out amid Reports of ISI-Imran Deal

PML-N’s Nawaz Sharif and PPP’s Bilawal Bhutto Zardari are yet to come up with a formula for power-sharing and amid reports of a ISI-Imran deal, the prospective coalition deal could fall through. (Image: Reuters)

Former Pakistan prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif may not form government with former ally Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in centre, people familiar with the developments told CNN-News18, adding that Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif are unlikely to go ahead with coalition plans.

Nawaz Sharif on February 9 had tasked his younger brother and former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif to conduct meetings with PPP, Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan and Jamaat-ul-Islami (Fazl) to form a coalition government during his ‘victory speech’ to PML-N workers at party headquarters in Lahore’s Model Town.

But Fazl-ur-Rehman, the JUI-F emir, in an interview with Pakistani media outlets claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former prime minister Imran Khan was handed a defeat in the elections by the Pakistan Army and told Nawaz Sharif to sit with JUI-F in opposition benches. The PML-N, according to people mentioned above, after the interview felt this is not appropriate to form a government at centre despite getting the largest number as a party.

The people mentioned above also told CNN-News18 that PML-N feels it is not going to be easy to negotiate with the Zardaris of the PPP and also handle the PTI-backed independents on a day-to-day basis.

They said that despite Nawaz Sharif nominating brother Shehbaz as PM earlier this week, the PML-N supremo is now realising it is better to sit in the opposition benches.

The people mentioned above also said that the Pakistan spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) met Imran Khan in Adiala jail and made a deal after which Imran nominated Omar Ayub Khan as his PM candidate. They further added that it will not be easy for any government or the establishment to handle the PTI-led opposition while also countering international pressure.

They said that the government feels it will be hard to handle daily demonstrations and long marches by the PTI cadres.

PPP’s Zardaris are yet to comment on these developments but it looks like PML-N will be urged to withdraw in this situation from their plans, the aforementioned people said.

Fazl’s Interview

The JUI-F emir’s interview to Pakistani media outlets created the current rift within the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition which took over the government after ousting Imran Khan in a no-confidence motion vote. He said former ISI chief Faiz Hameed told him to support the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan and PPP was one of the key architects of the no-confidence motion which ousted Imran Khan in 2022.

He further added that General Qamar Javed Bajwa, then-Pakistan Army chief, along with Hameed directed political parties to oust Imran Khan.

“I was not in favour of it, but I supported it because then the PDM would have said that I saved Imran Khan,” Fazl said, adding that both 2018 and 2024 elections were rigged.

“We have decided to protest against this vote theft. Now the decisions would be taken on the ground rather than in the assembly. I don’t see a future in the parliament, therefore, I invited PML-N to sit with us,” Fazl further added.

Indian officials familiar with the developments said the JUI-F emir could not make these statements without backing from the army. They said the developments suggest that the Pakistani establishment is in double mind and wants Imran Khan to form a government with PPP in alliance. They also said the establishment is afraid of Nawaz because of his ‘straight and outright approach’.