Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has finally begun accepting Musharraf loyalists in its ranks deeming their return critical to their dreams of forming a government. Call it a sign of panic or awakening from a deep slumber, the stage is all set for the PML-N to get back a majority of PML-Q leaders, especially from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa after PML-Q chief dissolved his party's KP chapter.
However, the decision on whether or not to create room for the Chaudhrys is still on ice. But the party has made it clear that the doors are wide open even for those who remained outspoken supporters of former president Pervez Musharraf and frequently attacked the Sharif brothers and the PML (N).
A top PML-N leader on condition of anonymity said that under the current circumstances we need to show flexibility towards people who want to rejoin the party as it would help in strengthening the party. "We should accept the importance of the people who want to come back without any prejudice", he maintained.
Another PML-N leader close to Sharifs said that things have changed and refusing people at this stage will not be a wise decision. When asked if it be possible to embrace Musharraf acolytes who verbally attacked the Sharifs at every chance he added this is the time to show political maturity and avoid rigidity.
He said that Amir Muqam's entry into PML-N will extensively damage the PML-Q vote bank in KP as he was the only person who managed the party and organised it at the grassroots level from there. "If people like Marvi Memon are accepted, why not Amir Muqam...he had said nothing to PML-N as compared to Marvi. The way she (Marvi) used to speak against Sharifs, I think Amir Muqam never did that," he added.
An insider privy to the developments told Business Recorder that the PML-N just like Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of Imran Khan had signalled acceptance within its ranks of all interested PML (Q) politicians barring the Chaudharys. A senior PML-N leader termed the move a 'paradigm shift' in the party, which had remained inflexible at a time when flexibility was direly needed, because of the well-known obstinacy of Nawaz Sharif.
Nawaz Sharif named several PML-Q leaders at different points in time saying he would never accept them into the PML-N fold. However, a clear change in his stance was evident after he accepted Marvi Memon - a staunch supporter of former military dictator General Musharraf.