head of the general elections, scheduled for February 8, Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz has taken the lead in forming electoral alliances.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has validated the date after the Election Commission of Pakistan informed the apex court that they were ready for the polls.

The ECP had initially proposed February 11. February 8 was later agreed to following consultation with the president.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faiz Isa, in a 10-page written order regarding the general elections date, said, “All parties agreed on the fixed date of elections on February 8.” The order notes that if a state institution interferes with the constitutional role of another, the consequences can be serious.

Soon after the announcement was made, the PML-N moved to form an electoral alliance with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and the PML-Functional. Nawaz Sharif also visited Balochistan, where over a dozen leaders of the Balochistan Awami Party agreed to join the PMLN. Sharif also met other Balochistan-based political leaders and groups.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl is also expected to join hands with the PML-N. The agreement will include seat adjustments. In the Punjab, some analysts have predicted that the PML-N would prefer a solo flight.

These alliances can help the PML-N do better in the elections.

The MQM-P has described the arrangement as a seat adjustment rather than an electoral alliance. A spokesperson says the party will contest the general election on its own symbol. He says it is likely to support the PML-N in forming a federal government.

A three-member MQM-P delegation comprising Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Dr Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal had earlier met senior PML-N leaders, including Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif in Lahore.

A joint statement issued by the parties said that a “joint strategy” to put the country back on the path to economic progress and development was needed. The agreement was seen as a setback for the Pakistan Peoples Party.

Some experts have said that the new alliance will aim at winning more urban seats in Sindh, mainly in Karachi.

The MQM-P was an ally of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf since 2018. However, it later played a major role in the vote of no confidence against Imran Khan. After the PTI government fell, the MQM-P supported Shahbaz Sharif’s Pakistan Democratic Movement government for 16 months.

The PML-N Sindh chapter president Bashir Memon has also held a meeting with PML-F chief Pir Syed Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi, indicating another alliance and conveyed a “special message” to Nawaz Sharif.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari, the PPP co-chairperson, has expressed confidence, saying that all PPP’s political opponents were welcome to contest the upcoming general elections against his party. “PPP has its own politics and philosophy; they have their own,” he has said.

Meanwhile, most political parties have welcomed the announcement of a date for the delayed polls. Some have reiterated their concern for a level playing field for every party. The PPP and the PTI, in particular, have alleged that attempts are being made to rig the next general elections and called on the ECP, the caretaker governments and the Judiciary to ensure free and fair elections.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has denied that any party is being favoured. It has promised that all political parties will be given equal opportunity and a level playing field in these polls.

Last week, President Arif Alvi had conveyed PTI’s concerns regarding the erosion of fundamental rights and the lack of a level playing field to Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar. In the letter, he had highlighted PTI’s concerns regarding institution of more cases of enforced disappearances.

The writer is a member of the staff. He may be reached at vaqargillani@gmail.com and @waqargillani on X, formerly Twitter