Recently, a few overseas Pakistanis residing in London approached me seeking my help to approach Mian Nawaz Sharif in Pakistan and secure a poll ticket for their relatives there.
I asked them about the credentials of their potential candidate. Their response was amazing: “Ali Sahib, once we secure the ticket of the PML-N, that would be the highest credential.”
A PML-N ticket for the upcoming poll is being assessed as a ticket to the assembly, given the impression Mian Sahib’s party has gained now.
In such circumstances, Mian Sahib stands at a critical juncture where his decisions regarding the distribution of party tickets hold the key to PML-N’s success in the upcoming general elections. The stakes are high, and the leader must tread carefully, setting a standard that upholds the principled position of the PML-N.
Right now, the party is seeking applications from potential candidates for tickets.
This is the time the party should make tough criteria to select the right candidate for the right constituency.
What should the party do to select the right candidate?
Well, electability is a strong side, that cannot be ignored, but the party needs to take a resolute stance. No such candidate should be considered for the ticket, who had ditched the party in the last general elections of 2018. I know several people were forced to join the King’s Party of that time – Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).
Also, no party ticket should be granted to those former MPAs or MNAs, who took a tough stance against the party during the Imran Khan regime. We hear that several people who were part of the cabinets of Usman Buzdar and Imran Khan and are now part of the Istehkam Pakistan Party are trying to either get the PML-N ticket or secure a seat adjustment with the PML-N. Such people should not be heard.
Accepting such people would not only contradict PML-N’s principles but could also imply an alignment with the policies of Imran Khan. The distribution of tickets should not be a conduit for those who have held significant ministries, as their loyalty to the party remains questionable. Entrusting them with party tickets is a risk that PML-N cannot afford to take.
The party needs people who have demonstrated unwavering commitment over the past five years, weathering both good and bad times. Loyalty should be the litmus test for candidates, ensuring that those who have stood by the party emerge as the preferred choices. In areas where a candidate’s strength is in doubt, opting for a more reliable alternative is the first measure of prudence.
In my view, the distribution of tickets is the most critical challenge for the leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-N at this juncture. Success in navigating this challenge could pave the way for a landslide victory in the general elections. However, neglecting the intricacies of ticket distribution may exacerbate problems, potentially altering the political landscape on February 8. Mian Nawaz Sharif must take personal responsibility for overseeing this critical process, guarding it with vigilance until the last moment.
The party should not be worried about the candidate’s part as the return of Nawaz Sharif has given extra energy to the PML-N. If a wrong candidate is selected, Nawaz Sharif, a seasoned politician with over four decades of experience, will be responsible. Politicians are flocking to Raiwand and Model Town, seeking PML-N tickets, but Sharif must scrutinize the situation closely. The recommendations from experienced politicians vying for PML-N tickets might be strong, but Sharif must personally evaluate the entire scenario.
Since Punjab holds the key to the central government, the battle in its constituencies is crucial. PML-N’s leadership must meticulously choose the members of the parliamentary board responsible for ticket distribution. It’s vital to ensure unanimous written agreements among board members to avoid post-election conflicts. This strategy will uphold impartiality and accountability, safeguarding the party’s interests and the political future of those involved.
The leader’s success in managing the complexities of ticket distribution will undoubtedly shape the fate of PML-N in the upcoming elections. It is a task that demands astute judgment, strategic foresight, and an unwavering commitment to the party’s core values. If Mian Nawaz Sharif can navigate this challenge successfully, the prospects of triumph on February 8 are almost certain. The distribution of tickets is not just a logistical concern; it is the linchpin that holds the party’s electoral strategy together.
