N reaches out for alliance; MQM, other parties dither

Unconfirmed reports say PML-N’s Ishaq Dar has called on MQM’s Farooq Sattar before flying off to London to see MQM chief Altaf Hussain. While the MQM says a grand alliance is need of the hour, they are keeping their cards closer to chest. The MQM has not given a definite answer to the PML-N’s calls, sources said.The PML-N has also contacted the JI, the JUI-Fazl, the PPP-Sherpao and smaller parties, but none has given a definite yes to the grand alliance. On its part, the PPP seems trading a careful line. Though it already has the PML-Q on its side to forestall the number game in the parliament, the ruling party still seems eyeing the MQM’s return to the coalition fold.Sources said Ishaq Dar has been assigned to hold talks with the MQM while Raja Zafarul Haq and Javed Hashmi as tasked to contact the JI. Zafar Iqbal Jhagra and Ahsan Iqbal have been asked to contact the likeminded and the PPP-S. PTI chief Imran Khan has not been contacted so far.Certain PPP leaders have also advised PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif to be patient and wait till the next elections.