- “I am not like those who […] blackmail to assume Punjab CM’s office,” says Interior Minister
- Moonis Elahi responds, says he respects Rasheed but asks him not to forget his past
ISLAMABAD: As political temperature gets heated ahead of No Trust Motion tabled by the joint opposition against Prime Minister Imran Khan, the coalition partners have come face to face to settle political scores.
IN a new twist to the cracks widening within the ruling coalition, Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed and Minister for Water Resources Moonis Elahi traded barbs on Saturday.
Talking to media in Quetta, Rasheed accused Elahi’s party – PML-Q – of “blackmailing” the government for Punjab’s chief minister slot in return for support during the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
“The opposition’s no-confidence motion will fail and Prime Minister Imran Khan will complete five years….. I stand like a rock with Imran Khan. I am not responsible for anyone else. I am not like those people with five [seats in the NA] and who are blackmailing [the government] for the province’s chief ministry,” he said in the context of Punjab’s politics.
Responding to this, PML-Q leader Elahi hit back at Rasheed, alleging that he “used to take money from the party’s elders during his student life”.
According to media reports, the PML-Q has asked the prime minister to announce Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Parvez Elahi the replacement of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar before calling the session of the National Assembly to take up the opposition’s no-confidence motion as the party will then announce its open support for the premier during the no-trust vote in the lower house.
According to sources privy to the ongoing talks between the PTI and PML-Q, the Chaudhrys of Gujrat have urged the prime minister to announce Chaudhry Parvez Elahi the replacement of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar before calling the session of the National Assembly to take up the opposition’s no-trust motion. The demand is despite the party holding just five seats in the lower house.
“The PML-Q leadership has conveyed to the prime minister to announce Punjab Assembly Speaker Parvez Elahi as the Punjab chief minister forthwith as this will help save the PTI government in Punjab in the face of ‘rebellion’ by the [Jahangir] Tareen group,” the sources quoted Chaudhrys telling the Govt delegation led by Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.
“Also the PML-Q will announce its open support for the premier and use its clout to scuttle the opposition’s move in the Centre,” the source added.
“If the premier does not take a timely decision with regard to nominating Parvez Elahi for the Punjab chief minister’s slot, the PML-Q is free to explore other options,” the sources maintained.
GOVT CAN SUMMON ARMY:
Speaking in the backdrop of Thursday’s police operation against JUI-F’s uniformed volunteer force – Ansarul Islam –in Parliament Lodges, Rasheed said no private militia would be allowed to interfere in Islamabad.
He said that the government has decided to hand over the security of Parliament and Parliament Lodges to FC and Rangers so that there could be no law and order mishap, adding that the government can also call in the Pakistan Army under Article 245 of the Constitution in critical situations.
He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan would win the next general election on the basis of performance, adding that “we have to move towards reconciliation because the opposition would not succeed in its no-trust motion”.
He advised the opposition that general elections are only one year away and it is better to prepare for the general elections.
“The opposition leaders should show restraint and tolerance, as otherwise they will remain in line for 10 years,” he added.
