LAHORE: In a bid to bring the political temperature down and focus on securing relief for Nawaz Sharif in graft cases, the PML-N has decided to re-establish “close coordination” with its allies in the former coalition government.

This decision was made during a meeting at Jati Umra on Sunday, also attended by legal experts in addition to the Sharif family members. Sources told Dawn that Nawaz Sharif would approach the PPP, JUI-F, and other parties of the ‘defunct’ Pakistan Democratic Movement this week.

“Initially, Mr Sharif will phone former president Asif Ali Zardari, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Akhtar Mengal and others to thank them for their moral support throughout his ordeal, before seeking separate meetings with them,” they said.

The sources said that the PML-N would avoid a confrontation with PPP by not responding to the latter’s scathing criticism of the relief given to the PML-N supremo by the judiciary.

Of late, PPP has been complaining about a lack of a level playing field ahead of polls likely in January next year.

“The [reconcilitation] policy is being strongly advocated by PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif,” sources said, adding that PML-N chief organiser Maryam Nawaz, former finance minister Ishaq Dar, and Hamza Shehbaz also attended the huddle.

Former law minister Azam Nazeer Tarar also joined the meeting to discuss the legal options available to the elder Sharif ahead of the Oct 24 hearing of his appeal in the Islamabad High Court against his conviction in the Avenfield and Al-Azizia references. Mr Nawaz is also supposed to appear before an accountability court on the same day.

It may be noted Mr Nawaz had been convicted in the two cases and declared a proclaimed offender in the Toshakhana vehicle case.

As he reached Jati Umra, the PML-N supremo was given a warm welcome. He also visited the graves of his relatives.

Meanwhile, ANP leader Ghulam Ahmed Bilour also called on the ex-PM and welcomed him on his return from abroad.

‘No special security’

Separately, Punjab caretaker Chief Min­ister Mohsin Naqvi said the former premier was not being given a special security detail. Mr Naqvi told journalists on Sunday that Mr Nawaz was being provided the same level of security enjoyed by former premiers, including Imran Khan. He said as per SOPs, Zaman Park was being given the same security cover as Jati Umra.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2023