by Rizwan Shehzad in The Express Tribune, June 26, 2023
ISLAMABAD: Four bigwigs of the PML-N and PPP — the two major parties in the ruling coalition — have converged in Dubai to contemplate over a political strategy, triggering a debate of an imminent shake-up in the coming days back in the country.

The simultaneous presence of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif; his daughter and party’s senior vice president Maryam Nawaz, PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, and his son Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in the city suggests that a political storm is surely on the horizon.

The sequence of arrivals began with Nawaz’s touchdown in Dubai from London on Saturday, followed closely by Maryam’s arrival from Pakistan.

In a surprising twist, Bilawal made his way to Dubai on Sunday, adding fuel to the growing anticipation.

As the sun set over the glittering Dubai skyline, reliable sources within the PPP confirmed to The Express Tribune that Zardari had also reached the city.

Dubai, known for its towering buildings, now serves as a backdrop to a real-life political occurrence, capturing the attention of millions in Pakistan.

Sources in the ruling alliance shared that some other powerful stakeholders were also expected to attend the Dubai huddle.

They added that the venue of the high-level meeting was carefully chosen to avoid media scrutiny.

They did not share if the other stakeholders would attend the huddle in person or via online links.

A senior PPP leader told The Express Tribune that the presence of the political heavyweights in the same foreign city was not a mere coincidence and a meeting was likely to take place between the leadership of both the parties.

“Well, you can’t rule out anything; these are politicians and present in the same city so a meeting between them won’t be a surprise,” the PPP leader replied to a query.

The PPP leader, while refraining himself from giving specifics, said the huddle was expected to take place soon and would centre around crucial decisions including the dissolution of the assembly, the formation of a caretaker set-up and setting the date for the upcoming general elections.

As the National Assembly approaches the completion of its five-year term, the country is bracing itself for the next phase of its democratic process.

As the assembly’s dissolution is looming, the decisions made by these influential figures will shape the political landscape.

With the convergence of the PML-N and PPP leaders in Dubai, insiders said the stage was set for the curtain to rise on a new chapter in Pakistan’s political saga.

They said that the political heavyweights had gathered to plot their next move amid the glitz and glamour of the cosmopolitan oasis.

On Saturday, a senior PPP leader, requesting anonymity, confirmed to The Express Tribune that a meeting between the powerful political players was confirmed as it was discussed in the party’s internal communication before Bilawal left for Dubai.

To a question, the PPP leader said the dissolution of assemblies was likely a week before the government’s tenure ended.

The party leader added that the ruling parties recently discussed this matter so that they could have more time for their election campaigns.

He continued that soon after Eidul Azha, news would start unfolding about the dissolution of the assemblies, date of the elections and names of the caretaker officials.

“You will hear about these things in July; possibly soon after Eid,” he said.

Since his self-imposed exile, Nawaz has rarely travelled out of London.

Before Dubai, he has once travelled to Europe and recently went to Saudi Arabia, where Maryam had joined him.

With the confirmation that veteran politician Zardari and his son Bilawal have also reached Dubai, the anticipation has reached its peak, hinting at something significant happening soon.

While the purpose of their gathering officially remains undisclosed or dubbed as a private visit, the insiders suggested that discussions of a potential alliance or a joint strategy against a common rival would also be an item on the agenda.

The expected Dubai meeting would mark a pivotal moment for the ruling alliance, demonstrating the parties’ determination to shape the country’s political landscape before the upcoming general polls.

From Kot Lakhpat Jail to London, Nawaz and Bilawal have been frequently meeting to discuss the political situation and vowing to work together.

In March 2019, Bilawal met Nawaz in Kot Lakhpat Jail after the latter was sentenced in a corruption case.

Later in April 2022, the foreign minister flew to London to meet the three-time former premier.

The federal information minister, who had tweeted about Maryam’s departure a day ago, was approached for comments about the meeting between the key players of the ruling coalition but she did not respond.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2423610/coalition-bigwigs-in-dubai-rendezvous