LAHORE   -  The PML-N which wants a strong opposition to give a very tough time to the PTI government has yet to decide on taking part in the JUI-F-called all parties conference.

PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif is consulting senior leaders of the party on attending the JUI-F APC. The former prime minister is also expected to meet ex-president Asif Ali Zardari, at Jatiumra today (Saturday) or tomorrow (Sunday). Asif Ali Zardari last day reached the city where he is due to stay for four days.

The leaders of both the mainstream parties are expected to discuss policies and decisions of the PTI government they believe are hitting hard the poor. They will also take up their own predicament due to the NAB and SC cases of money laundering against them.

The gulf in the contacts and ties between the PML-N and the PPP that arose after the election of the prime minister and the President began to decrease when Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto visited Jati Urmra and met Nawaz Sharif to condole the death of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz. Following it leaders of both the parties kept in touch with each other and their shared views in news channel talks show how much they have come close to each other. So talk at the possible meeting of the two leaders would mean business on how to deal with the odds instead of mending fences.

Of late, Asif Ali Zardari has underscored the need to take a united stand and introduce a motion against the government and Prime Minister Imran Khan in the parliament. PML-N leader Hamza Shehbaz Sharif has welcomed the statement of Zardari. In a media interaction, he termed PPP an old and major political party, accepting the stance taken by Zardari against the government. PML-N is, however, taking time to respond formally to Zardari’s proposal.

However, JUI-F Amir Maulana Fazlur Rehman, showing a prompt reaction, has met Asif Ali Zardari and announced to hold an all parties conference (APC) against the government. The gesture of Maulana Fazlur Rehman carries resemblance of late Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan who had taken such initiatives while remaining on the opposition side. The endeavours of PDP leader Nasrullah Khan against the ruling parties had mostly been productive, depending on the situation and timing.

The PML-N sources say final decision on taking part in Maulana’s APC or holding its own would be taken by Nawaz Sharif himself. In the meeting with Asif Ali Zardari, this matter as well as other options against the government may also come under discussion. Nawaz Sharif is not much active in public politics, but is fully commanding the party as his younger brother and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif into the NAB custody.

Political pundits say both the mainstream parties may not like to reach any final decision, but would adopt any option, taking stock of the whole situation. They say Maulana Fazlur Rehman wants to suggest extreme measures as he did after the general elections, asking all opposition members not to take oath of the parliament, but the same was not accepted even by the parties in his own Alliance of MMA. Moreover, Maulana Fazlur Rehman is speaking against the Establishment, holding it responsible for election rigging. Unlike the past when JUI-F had been a part of almost every government, this party is facing an unsavoury situation that may prod it go for ‘do or die’. The PPP, being in rule in Sindh and PML-N still the largest party in Punjab would like to tread cautiously to keep their weight in the given political situation although NAB and money-laundering cases are tormenting them badly.

In the time to come, this picture appears becoming more horrible for them. At the same time, both the parties know their worth in dharna and street politics and risk factor lies therein. Moreover, they would also like to retain the visage of mainstream with their respective ideologies without their image being overshadowed by the third party. As such, their preference may be the forum of Parliament for raising the voice both against the government, rigging or what they say, injustices to their leadership instead of diluting their energy and worth in protest politics. The joint stand of both the big parities in the Parliament will itself be worthwhile when they will have other options in the stocks. And the expected meeting of the two main leaders can look at all aspects before going to the APC, the political pundits add.