In a major win for PML-Q, Nawaz Sharif has accepted its condition for the Punjab Chief Minister slot. Earlier, PML-N had refused to give the Punjab CM seat to PML-Q.
Sunday, a PML-N delegation called on former prime minister and PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi. The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, including the no-confidence motion. They also agreed to continue consultation on future strategies.
According to details, the PML-N delegation included Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Rana Sanaullah, and Attaullah Tarar. Meanwhile, the PMLQ’s Chaudhry Shujaat and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi along with Federal Ministers Tariq Bashir Cheema, Moonis Elahi, Salik Hussain, Senator Kamil Ali Agha and Hussain Elahi participated in the talks.
Meanwhile @pmln_org delegation comprising @KhawajaMAsif @KhSaad_Rafique @TararAttaullah @AyazSadiq122 @PresPMLNPunjab & Rana Tanveer has arrived at Ch Shujaat’s residence to finalise the deal with PML-Q. pic.twitter.com/Uphsk0jjSS
— Imran Munawar (@Imran_Munawar99) March 27, 2022
Read more: PPP makes big claim about PML-Q’s Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi!
PML-N sources said during the meeting, PML-N revealed to PML-Q that Nawaz Sharif has agreed to hand over the Punjab CM seat. Additional sources claim that under the new deal, the position of Punjab CM will be given to PML-Q for six months.
PML-N woos PML-Q
PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s alleged decision comes as an attempt to sway PML-Q over to the Opposition side. To clarify, the Opposition is gearing up for a no-trust move against the government. Therefore, to win the government alliance’s support, the Opposition is offering attractive portfolios should the no-trust move be successful.
As a result, PPP and JUI-F nominated PML-Q for the Punjab Chief Minister seat. Furthermore, the PML-Q told the Opposition that they would not “settle for anything less than the chief minister’s slot”.
On the other hand, PML-N refused the proposal. In fact, almost two days ago, the joint Opposition reached a deadlock as Nawaz Sharif reportedly refused to give the office of Punjab chief minister to PML-Q’s Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.
Read more: PML-N not ready to give Punjab CM seat to PML-Q?
Now, it appears that Nawaz Sharif reportedly agreed on the matter. With this new development, PML-Q may opt to side with the Opposition in the no-confidence motion against PM Khan. To clarify, reports earlier said that PML-Q will support the side on the confidence motion against PM Khan that will offer the Punjab CM seat.
PTI makes last-ditch efforts?
Pertinent to mention, the PTI had claimed that it will not succumb to “blackmail”. In a press conference, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid made a jab at PML-Q and accused the party of blackmail. The jab did not sit well with PML-Q as Moonis Elahi called out the Interior Minister.
However, now PTI is making last-ditch attempts to win PML-Q. According to the latest reports, a government team led by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with PML-Q on Saturday. He gave his words that Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar will be asked to resign in a day or two and that Chaudhry Parvez Elahi is the PTI government’s preferred choice for his replacement. A PML-Q senior leader on the condition of anonymity told the media.
Interestingly, a day later, PML-N too offered the Punjab CM seat to PML-Q. With offers from both sides on the table, PML-Q has yet to make a final decision.