Who’s dealing with whom

Who’s dealing with whom
By Tahir Hasan Khan
The News, April 17, 2007

It was shocking for many people, but not for me, when PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif disclosed in an interview to Geo TV that he would return to the country before PPP leader Benazir Bhutto.I knew that reports about a deal between Benazir Bhutto and the government were nothing but eyewash, meant only to divert the attention of the nation. A friend with connections in the corridors of power had told me earlier that negotiations were going on between former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the Musharraf government through some uniformed and retired officers.

These back-channel negotiations, my source had informed me, were taking place with both Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif. My friend claimed that a retired army officer, Brigadier Niaz, is playing a key role in contacting with the exiled PML-N leaders on behalf of Gen Pervez Musharraf. Incidentally, President Musharraf had mentioned the name of Brig (retd) Niaz in his book and appreciated him for his refusal to take action against the then opposition Pakistan National Alliance (PNA) in 1977 during the late ZA Bhutto’s government.

Neither Nawaz Sharif nor his party leaders have admitted to any contact with the present regime.However, some reports also appeared that Governor Punjab Khalid Maqbool also met Mian Sahab in London. Earlier the government issued a passport to Mian Sahab to proceed to London from Saudi Arabia. The Secretary General of the PML-N Zafar Iqbal Jhagra also admitted a few days ago that Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Amir of Qatar, was mediating between the government and Nawaz Sharif for the return of the exiled leader and his family to the country.

And recently, another move was initiated through former chief of the Ehtesab Bureau, Saifur Rehman. This move was also reportedly made through the auspices of uniformed men.

Saifur Rehman who became famous for filing references against Benazir Bhutto and her husband Asif Zardari is a close confidant of the former prime minister. He has been active again, and a few months ago he had made frequent visits to Islamabad from Qatar, where he is currently based. Saifur Rehman, who runs a business in the Gulf state, had a meeting with senior officers in the federal capital. Some party leaders concede that the purpose of Nawaz Sharif’s recent visit to Dubai was an attempt to speed up his efforts to ensure his safe return. Benazir Bhutto and her party are aware about these contacts between Nawaz Sharif and the regime and she also recently had an unscheduled meeting with the PML-N leader in Dubai. She is believed to have informed Nawaz Sharif about her indirect contacts with the government and openly admitted this in the media.

Mian Nawaz Sharif had left for Saudi Arabia after striking a deal with President Gen Pervez Musharraf. The PML-N leader and his family had assured Gen Musharraf that the former prime minister would not participate in active politics for another ten years.This deal was done just after the formation of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democrcay, an alliance of eight opposition parties. Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, wife of Mian Nawaz Sharif, played anactive role in the formation of the ARD. It came as a huge surprise to most observers when Mian Sahab and his family suddenly left Pakistan after the deal. Kulsoom Nawaz claimed this deal as a success of her family.

The other ARD parties have noted that the PML-N has not been wholeheartedly supporting the anti-government cause. Instead, the party has tried to show its closeness on every occasion to the religious parties, especially the MMA.The PPP chairperson clearly told Nawaz Sharif that she was not willing to sit with the MMA which is in a coalition with the ruling PML-Q in Balochistan. She also asked him not to convene an APC before the election of the president. However, the PML-N leader not only announced the holding of the APC but also invited the MMA and Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi to attend it.

The party has signed the Charter of Democracy which clearly states that there would be no negotiations with the ruling parties.The PML-N leadership in Pakistan did not take into confidence the ARD parties and took part in a number of separate activities. It was also noted that during the recent protest rally in Islamabad, the PML-N leadership preferred to protest with the MMA rather then the PPP and other ARD parties. Despite the decision of the ARD the provincial ARD chief the PML-N invited the MMA to the protest rally in Karachi.

The PPP leaders complained that the PML-N and its party chief have remained in secret contact with Gen Pervez Musharraf while the PPP leadership has made itscontact with the present regime public. Some ruling PML-Q leaders also indicated that many of their party leaders are also in contact with Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, and in case a deal was stuck with Mian Sahab they would switch over to his party before the elections. These leaders are very happy with the disclosure of the PML-N chief that he will return to the country before Benazir Bhutto. Whileboth the top ARD leaders are negotiating with the present regime,

the difference is clear: The Musharraf-led government is negotiating with Benazir through civilians while with Nawaz Sharif talks are proceeding through retired and serving officers. Which of the two parties will succeed in striking a succesful deal with the government will be clear in a few month’s time.
tahir.hassankhan@gmail.com

Also see, Benazir-Musharraf Deal is Done