ISLAMABAD: Political wheeling, dealing entered key stage on Sunday as treasury and opposition intensified their efforts to woo the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).
While Chaudhrys of Gujrat, who according to analysts have mastered the skill to ‘blackmail for maximum grab’ in such a tight competition between the treasury and opposition, the filed looked open as neither the treasury nor the opposition have made any commitment to the PML-Q.
Sources in the opposition camp told Pakistan Today that amidst the rising political tensions in the country, the two biggest Opposition Parties, PML-N and PPP, have agreed to nominate PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi as Punjab chief minister in exchange of their party’s support for the no-trust motion to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Sources within the Opposition parties said that the announcement regarding this decision will be made within the next 24 hours after a final meeting between Chaydhrys of Gujrat and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif.
The sources said that the PML-Q, which is a key ally of the PM Imran Khan-led government, was informed about the development by a senior leader of PPP.
With pressure mounting amid buildup to the No Trust motion tabled by the joint opposition against Prime Minister Imran Khan, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has intensified its efforts to woo back support of its allied party – Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).
In this regard, indirect contacts are being made to help soften the stance of Chaudhrys of Gujrat. Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi held separate meetings with the Chaudhrys of Gujrat on Sunday and inquired after senior politician and PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
Sources said that political situation of the country, particularly the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, also came under discussion at the meeting, which was also attended by Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and his son, Federal Minister for Water Resources Chaudhry Moonis Elahi.
Former federal minister Ch Wajahat Hussain, MNA Hussain Elahi and Ms Mehreen Adam Malik were also present in the meeting.
Sources said that during the meeting with Chaudhrys, AJK Prime Minister urged the Chaudhrys to keep their support for the premier. Meanwhile, during his meeting with the Chaudhrys, Tahir Ashrafi also urged the PML-Q leaders to support the prime minister in the no-trust motion on which voting is going to be held in a few days’ time.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed also retracted his statement against Chaudhry brothers, clarifying that he considered PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat like a ‘brother’ and he will never make any statement against the PML-Q.
The retraction came a day after Rasheed had accused the PML-Q of ‘blackmailing the government with five votes for the post of the chief minister’ resulting in a strong backlash from the PML-Q leadership.
The PML-Q on Saturday had convened a consultative meeting in Lahore to address the present scenario in Punjab. A follow up meeting was also held on Sunday to weigh options available for the party which has only five MNAs and 10 MPAs in Punjab Assembly.
The PML-Q consultative meeting was held under the chairmanship of President and former Prime Minister of Chaudhry Shujat Hussain and Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Parvez Elahi.
The meeting was attended by Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, Tariq Bashir Cheema, Moonis Elahi, Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Hussain Elahi and Chaudhry Imtiaz Ranjha.
During the meeting, participants concluded that no PTI ally is happy with the federal government’s performance and that the PML-Q will have to make its own political decision shortly.
PML-Q leader Pervez Elahi is said to have taken other government allies under his wings and has committed to making decisions in collaboration with them, the sources revealed. The meeting also discussed and hoped that it was not too late to take sides before they were left with nowhere to stand.
According to sources, Chaudhry Shujaat was also unsatisfied with the federal government’s performance.
“We will make decisions taking into consideration the national interest and political future,” the sources quoted Elahi as saying, adding that other participants of the meeting expressed their concerns over the non-fulfillment of promises in Punjab.
The allies of ruling PTI are likely to make a big announcement at a joint press conference in the next two to three days, sources added.
Talking to media after the meeting, Ch Parvez Elahi said that the party leadership have made its decision and final consultation with colleagues is underway.
“PML, MQM and Balochistan Awami Party are working together,” he said. Elahi urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to continue his efforts as he said the constitution and law are very clear on no trust motion and the Speaker National Assembly should abide by it.
“It was agreed (during the meeting) that the present assemblies will complete their term. A meeting with Shahbaz Sharif could take place anytime,” he said, adding that if the PML-Q joins opposition’s coalition, then its ministers would resign from the ministries.
Responding to another question, Elahi said that Aun Chaudhry, the leader of Jahangir Tareen group, had come for a meeting on Sunday and he too would convey their decision in the next two days.
