In order to break the ruling alliance and make the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan a success, the PPP and JUI-F have suggested to offer the office of Punjab’s chief minister to PTI’s close aide PML-Q.
The suggestion was made during a meeting of opposition parties in Lahore on Wednesday. PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman met PML-N president and opposition leader in the NA Shehbaz Sharif at his residence.
Insiders claimed that the JUI-F and the PPP have proposed the name of Pervaiz Elahi for Punjab chief minister to muster PML-Q support while the leadership of both parties were persuading PML-N on this matter.
They said the leadership of both the parties believed that the PML-Q would stand beside the opposition in Punjab and centre for the no-confidence motion if portfolio is offered to Pervaiz Elahi.
Insiders said the PML-N has given the authority to party supremo Nawaz Sharif for a final decision in this regard.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the PML-N leaders have not agreed on the name of Pervaiz Elahi.
FAZAL MEETS CHAUDHRYS: Following the luncheon at Shehbaz’s residence, PDM and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazal visited the Chaudhry brothers.
Hours later, the PML-Q leaders met former president Zardari for “consultation” on the prevailing political situation.
According to a PML-Q official, Pervaiz Elahi gave Zardari the right to decide on “a joint future course of action” in consultation with him.
The only difference between the PPP and the PDM was on the timing of the motion, as the PDM wanted the motion tabled at the earliest, while the PPP wanted to bring it after its long march, which was beginning on February 27.
Meanwhile, the PDM decided to support the PPP’s long march towards Islamabad against the PTI-led government.
The PML-N will welcome the PPP convoys in the Punjab while the JUI-F will do so in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
