PML-N MNAs and senators to meet PM next: Fawad

Minister claims opposition party’s lawmakers switching sides because of leadership crisis

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday claimed that the meeting of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MPAs with Prime Minister Imran Khan was just the beginning and the party’s MNAs and senators would meet him next.

“Decisions are made on the basis of local political realities. The PML-N and PPP [Pakistan Peoples Party] have lost their worth and people will make decisions in accordance with the political realities,” he tweeted, hinting that members of the opposition parties were switching loyalties to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Later while addressing a news conference, the minister said PML-N lawmakers were leaving the party because it lacked leadership.

“There’s a battle of throne in the PML-N,” he added.

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“The PML-N leadership seems to lack unanimity of views as is evident from their conflicting narratives.”

Fawad maintained that there was a power struggle between PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and his niece Vice President Maryam Nawaz.

“Shehbaz Sharif has been sidelined and is merely a figurehead now. Maryam Nawaz has taken over control of the party. Shehbaz lacks vision to lead the party in a crisis situation. No one consults him over the party affairs anymore. He has become Fazal Elahi and Rafiq Tarar of the party.”

Fawad said it was common for a sinking ship to throw away extra load to make it safe, adding the opposition leader was also doing the same. “He has resigned from all party committees and serving as the leader of the opposition alone.”

The minister maintained that PML-N lawmakers were aware of Maryam’s mindset and deserting the party because of her.

He added that PML-N MNAs and senators would soon leave the party in droves. “We met some more people on Saturday and a list of 12 MPAs will be presented to the media soon.”

He also said it would be better for the opposition to avoid bringing a no-confidence motion against Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, “lest it should face more desertions”.
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Turning his guns towards the PPP, the minister said the dismal gathering of only 150 people at party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s rally in Gujjar Khan “speaks volumes of his [Bilawal’s] popularity”.

Speaking on governance, the minister said the PTI government would succeed in achieving its foreign policy goals.

“The economic conditions will improve after six months,” he added. “We have returned $9.8 billion on account of foreign loans that equals the budget of the Sindh province in size.”

He said the real challenge to the economy was tax collection. Commenting on foreign relations, the minister said Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi during his visit to Brussels had signed various agreements and one whole chapter was on science and technology cooperation.

He added that after British Airways, other European Union airlines had started modifying their advisories about Pakistan.