PML-N Declines Coalition with JUI-F for Balochistan Government Formation: Inside Story

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has declined to pursue an alliance with its former partner, the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), for the formation of a coalition government in Balochistan, according to sources familiar with the matter.

In a meeting between PML-N leader Ishaq Dar and JUI-F’s Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, the latter proposed the idea of collaborating to establish a coalition government in Balochistan, the sources revealed.

However, Dar conveyed to Haideri that the PML-N had already committed to forming a coalition government with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Balochistan, as a power-sharing agreement had been reached between the two parties at the federal level.

“The PML-N and the JUI-F could potentially collaborate to form a coalition government in Balochistan,” Haideri reportedly suggested.

Nevertheless, Dar indicated that the window of opportunity for collaboration had passed, stating, “We had hoped to proceed together, Maulana, but unfortunately, your proposal has come too late.”

Dar mentioned his previous attempts to engage with the JUI-F leadership, which had not yielded results. “At present, we have finalized an agreement with the PPP,” he added.

Dar assured Haideri that he would bring the JUI-F’s proposal to the attention of the PML-N’s top leadership, emphasizing that the final decision rested with them.

This development follows Maulana Fazl’s recent assertions regarding the orchestrated no-confidence motion against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in March 2022, alleging the involvement of former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Fazl’s claims stirred controversy, placing former allies PPP, PML-N, and others in a challenging position, as they had previously refuted allegations of engineered ousting by the then army chief.

In a surprising turn of events, Fazl engaged in discussions with PTI leaders, exploring the possibility of joint protests against alleged electoral irregularities.

Both the PPP and PML-N rebuffed Fazl’s claims and rejected his accusations of rigging and the orchestrated no-confidence motion, highlighting the strained dynamics within the political landscape.