‘Sharif most popular leader in Pakistan’

According to the official, Sharif’s recent victory over the government in the Supreme Court – which allowed the deposed Premier and his brother Shahbaz to return to Pakistan after seven years in ‘forced’ exile — has also helped in the rise of his popularity graph.

“If he returns to the country according to his announced schedule, he would get an unprecedented reception, particularly in the Punjab province. But, if Sharif fails to fly back home as hinted by some ruling party leaders, his ascendancy would vanish,” the unnamed official said.

In their assessment of the ground situation, the intelligence agencies have indicated that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) as well as Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) are likely to suffer a setback in the general elections slated for later this year in the Islamic nation.

In their assessment of the ground situation, these intelligence agencies have indicated that Punjab has slipped out of the hands of both the ruling party as well as the PPP and the province’s now sympathetic towards Sharif.

“According to the agencies’ estimation, out of the total 13 National Assembly seats in Lahore, at least, 11 will go to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz,” the official said, adding that they had a similar assessment about other parts of urban Punjab.

PML-Nawaz’s popularity over the PPP – considered as a pro-democracy party in the Islamic nation — in the aftermath of the secret meeting between Bhutto and Musharraf in the UAE recently, has also left the ruling party dry and tarnished the image of the President who has been declaring the two-time PM a looter in the last eight years, according to the reports.

It may be mentioned that possibly fearing a setback in the upcoming general elections, ruling party chief Shujaat Hussain had recently raised objections to any ‘deal’ between Musharraf and Bhutto under which the military dictator would have to doff his uniform before the presidential polls.

Hussain had also reportedly conveyed the party’s reservations to Musharraf who plans to seek re-election as the country’s President for another five-year term.