*ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif has **startedconsultations with his party leaders for his return before the next generalelections. *
According to sources, backdoor discussions are ongoing with the elderSharif for holding early elections and Nawaz Sharif has put forwardcondition that level playing field should be given to all political partiesand their leaderships before the polls.
“Nawaz Sharif consulted party leaders regarding his return and asked if heshould return to Lahore or Islamabad,” they said, adding that a majoritysuggested that he should land in Islamabad where the party leads a federalgovernment while some asked him to land in Lahore which is considered astronghold of the party.
Moreover, the sources having knowledge of the backdoor discussionlink that Imran Khan is being asked toshow some leniency with regard to his demand for changing chief electioncommissioner before the elections.
On June 30link,a report stated that senior leadership of the PML-N has advised partysupremo Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan to take control of the mattersas the party faced a blowback after losing control of Punjab province torival PTI.
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According to sources having knowledge of discussions within the party, thesenior PML-N leadership have made contact with Nawaz Sharif and mulled overways to restore the standing of the party in the country, especially inPunjab province.
“The senior leaders advised Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan and lead theparty,” they said, adding the meeting reached a consensus that the partylost in by-polls owing to worst economic conditions and inflation.
