NEW DELHI: The Islamic Jamhoori Ittehad (IJ1) is likely to have an edge over Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan in October, analysts here feel.
A Pakistani expert at the Institute for Defence Studies and analyses (IDSA), John Kaniyalil, said “the elections will take place because the Pakistani army chief favours polls.”
He does not give credence to doubts expressed in Pakistan that elections set for October 24 may not be held at all.
The ascendancy to power of right wing forces led by Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi shows the anti-India factor might be exploited in the run up to the October 24 polls, IDSA director, air commodore (retd) Jasjit Singh feels.
There is a strong possibility of the Mohajir Qami Movement (MQM) aligning with IJ which, Mr Kaniyalil says, will give a foothold to the alliance in MS Benazir Bhutto’s home province Sindh at the expense of the PPP. Due to problems arising out of political Polarisation and urban rural divide in Sindh the PPPMQ Malliance has already broken down. “In fact MS Bhutto had been depending on “horse-trading’ for her survival,” he says.
In Punjab state, he says the already strong position of the IJI has been further strengthened with the defection of Ghulam Mustafa Khar, until recently with the PPP.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 17, 1990
