Workers of most political parties say they are preparing for the next general elections as well as the local government elections that will be due soon. The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf is amongst them.

A few months ago, the opposition parties had entertained hopes of early general elections in view of the poor governance. However, those hopes have withered away. The PTI has since sought to develop an impression that it is still the most popular party in the country and still enjoys strong support of the powerful quarters. Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar too has activated his media cell full throttle in an effort to prove his success. These gestures endorse the impression that it is preparing for the next general elections and the local government polls in the Punjab and the KP.

Pakistan Peoples Party chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, however, still believes that the general elections might take place earlier than scheduled. He has told his supporters to buckle up for the general elections. On the other hand, the PPP has offered the PML-N joint-venture no-confidence motions against Prime Minister Khan and Chief Minister Buzdar. The PML-N has not taken the PPP offer so far. The PPP says that a successful no-confidence motion is the only path to early elections. At the same time, the party is trying to garner support in the Punjab, the KP and Balochistan and trying to woo as many ‘electables’ in the three provinces as it can.

The PML-N is in low spirits after losing the Azad Kashmir’s general elections and the Sialkot by-election. The narrative conflict within the PML-N is another factor that has confused its stalwarts. The Pakistan Democratic Movement’s platform has proved a saving grace for the PML-N. Now, the PDM has announced plans to stage protest rallies. The first of these is be organiszed in Karachi on August 29. It appears as if the current composition of the PDM could turn into an electoral alliance.

The Grand Democratic Alliance in Sindh and the MQM are focusing on interior Sindh and Karachi, respectively. They are trying to find new partners including the JUI-F and some nationalist parties for seat adjustment in Sindh against the PPP.

In KP, Jamaat-i-Islami, the ANP, the Qaumi Watan Party, the JUI-F and the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party are also trying to go for seat adjustments against the PTI. All these parties gathered at Pakhtoon Qaumi Jirga on August 7 and issued a joint declaration.

In Balochistan, the ruling Balochistan Awami Party with its allies the PTI, the Jamhoori Watan Party, the Hazara Democratic Alliance and the Balochistan National Party (Awami) is in a comfortable position. However, BNP (Mengal), the PKMAP, the National Party, the ANP and the JUI-F are trying to put together a national alliance as well as some regional alliances.