PML-N, MQM-P Clash Over Karachi Seat as Shehbaz Sharif Withdraws Nomination

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) have failed to agree on seat adjustment in the National Assembly constituency NA-242 District Keamari in Sindh, ahead of the February 8 general elections. The former ruling party PML-N withdrew the nomination papers of its President Shehbaz Sharif from NA-242 at the last minute and fielded Khawaja Shoaib in the constituency, where he would face MQM-P Senior Deputy Convener Syed Mustafa Kamal, the former Karachi mayor.

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In a setback to their alliance talks, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) have failed to reach an agreement on seat adjustment in the National Assembly constituency NA-242 District Keamari in Sindh, ahead of the February 8 general elections.

PML-N Withdraws Shehbaz Sharif's Nomination

The former ruling party PML-N made a surprise move by withdrawing the nomination papers of its President Shehbaz Sharif from NA-242 at the last minute. Instead, the party fielded Khawaja Shoaib in the constituency, where he will face MQM-P Senior Deputy Convener Syed Mustafa Kamal, the former Karachi mayor.

Earlier Reports of MQM-P's Withdrawal

Earlier, media reports had suggested that the MQM-P was considering withdrawing Kamal from the NA-242 race in favor of the PML-N. However, these reports turned out to be inaccurate.

PML-N Confirms Shehbaz Sharif's Withdrawal

Speaking to journalists outside the office of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), PML-N leader Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan confirmed that the former prime minister would not contest from NA-242. He explained that no candidate can contest for more than two seats and that he was there to withdraw Shehbaz Sharif's nomination papers.

MQM-P Approves Ali Khursheedi's Candidacy

On the other hand, the MQM-P gave its go-ahead to Ali Khursheedi to contest the upcoming elections from PS-119 Karachi-West.

Shehbaz Sharif's Previous Candidacy

It is worth noting that Shehbaz Sharif had announced his intention to file nomination papers for the polls from Karachi's NA-242 constituency on December 29. In the 2018 general elections, he had contested from the NA-249 constituency (as per the previous delimitation) of Karachi but lost to Faisal Vawda, the then-Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, by a narrow margin.

Reported Seat Adjustment Between PML-N and MQM-P

A few days ago, it was reported that the MQM-P had entered into a seat adjustment agreement with the PML-N for three NA constituencies. Sources had told Geo News that apart from Shehbaz Sharif, the PML-N would field its candidates on five NA seats, including NA-229, 230, and 239, as well as 11 provincial assembly seats within these constituencies. In return, the MQM-P candidates would contest polls for the national and provincial assembly seats from Malir's NA-231 constituency.

MQM-P Denies Seat Adjustment Reports

However, MQM-P Convenor Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui denied the reports of any seat adjustment with the PML-N for the NA-242 constituency in Karachi on January 10. He asserted that Mustafa Kamal was contesting as an MQM-P candidate from the constituency.

Sources Claim Seat Adjustments Still Intact

Despite the denial, sources claimed that the seat adjustments reached between the two parties were still intact, except for NA-242. However, sources within the MQM-P expressed surprise at Shehbaz Sharif's move to withdraw his candidacy.

Rift Emerges Over Provincial Assembly Seats

The rift between the two parties reportedly emerged when the PML-N refused to withdraw from the two provincial assembly seats falling under NA-242 in favor of the MQM-P. The sources privy to the matter revealed that the top leadership of the two parties had held several rounds of negotiations but failed to reach a consensus over seat adjustments.

PML-N's Hopes for Alliance Benefits

The former ruling party was hopeful that an alliance with the MQM-P would help the PML-N secure 3 to 4 seats in Karachi. In November last year, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah had expressed optimism that three to four candidates of his party could get elected in Karachi in the upcoming general elections if they entered an alliance with the MQM-P.

Cracks Within MQM-P

Meanwhile, cracks have emerged within the MQM-P after its senior leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan suspended his political activism, citing concerns over the distribution of election tickets. He expressed strong reservations over the alleged trading of barbs among MQM-P leaders during a meeting held at the Pakistan House. Hasan revealed that he was offered to contest elections from PS-123 by the party leadership, but he declined the offer.