CHAKWAL: Rumours abound that Sardar Ghulam Abbas, one of the most influential politicians in Chakwal, may join PML-N, which has been his archrival during his political career.

Mr Abbas has a large vote bank in the district. Candidates he fielded, who ran as independents in the recent local bodies elections, won 22 seats for union council (UC) chairmen against 28 won by PML-N. Independent candidates, led mainly by Mr Abbas, have cracked the PML-N stronghold in Chakwal, a district from which the party currently has nine parliamentarians and an adviser to the chief minister.

The unimpressive performance by PML-N in the recent local bodies elections against Mr Abbas’ group has served as an excuse for business tycoons to continue their efforts to bring Mr Abbas into PML-N.

Sources told Dawn that the prime minister himself contacted Mr Abbas and asked him to join the ruling party, while PTI Rawalpindi division organiser Chaudhry Sarwar asked Mr Abbas to rejoin PTI, which he previously joined in November 2011.

However, Mr Abbas seems disappointed with PTI, because he believes the party did not turn out as it should have.

A senior local PTI leader said Mr Abbas also has personal differences with Imran Khan.

Sources privy to the ongoing political developments in Chakwal told Dawn that Mr Abbas has decided to join PML-N, but is being held back due to reservations of key partners, who are not ready to join a party they have opposed throughout their political careers.

However, rumours about Mr Abbas joining PML-N have also wworried local PML-N leaders, who are concerned with their own futures. PML-N stalwart retired Lt-Gen Abdul Majeed Malik, district president Chaudhry Liaquat Ali Khan and Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Dullah – the current MPA from Mr Abbas’ home constituency – would not benefit from the move.

If Mr Abbas is to join PML-N, the political scenario in the district could see a great shift, and such a situation could give a boost to PTI, which put up a reasonable performance in the recent polls.

Hamza Shahbaz recently held a meeting with parliamentarians from Chakwal, during which he heard their concerns regarding Mr Abbas’ possible entry into PML-N.

The politicians seemed divided over the matter, with Tahir Iqbal, Iffat Liaquat, Mehwish Sultana and Sardar Mumtaz Tamman opposing Mr Abbas joining PML-N, while Malik Tanvir Aslam, Malik Salim Iqbal and Malik Zahoor Anwar supported the move.

When contacted, Mr Abbas confirmed that he had been contacted by senior PML-N leadership. “I have consulted with my friends and will announce my decision within a few days,” he said.

Malik Ashraf Nawabi a leading businessman from Chakwal who has family terms with the Sharif brothers and the ruling family of Dubai, arranged an inaugural ceremony of his newly-built school on Saturday.

The chief guest at the ceremony was Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Mr Nawabi, who is said to be playing a key role in bringing Mr Abbas into PML-N, invited him to the ceremony but at the eleventh hour, Mr Abbas decided not to attend.

“I was invited to the ceremony with 40 friends but I met Ashraf Nawabi and told him about my compulsions and he understood,” Mr Abbas told Dawn.

Sources said Mr Abbas did not attend the ceremony as he thought it was too early to have a formal interaction with Shahbaz Sharif.

“All matters regarding Sardar Abbas’ entry into PML-N have been finalised by the top party leadership and only Chaudhry Nisar is resisting the move. However the top leadership may take Sardar Abbas into the party, citing poor performance of the local MPs in the recent election,” a source told Dawn.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2015