Consensus evades Usman Buzdar’s opponents

During the ongoing session of the Punjab Assembly, there has been a lot of talk in the lobbies and corridors of major changes in the province and a forward bloc in the PML-N.

As Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Lahore, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar appeared to be under pressure with the departure from the province of two key bureaucrats of his team, Secretary Services Dr Shoaib Akbar and Commissioner Lahore Asif Bilal Lodhi, and the resignation of provincial Minister Malik Asad Khokhar intensifying speculations about more changes.

However, the forces seeking to remove Buzdar from the post of Chief Minister are facing severe difficulties in finding an alternative. Within the PTI and its allies, there is no prospect of a single name being agreed upon. The aspirants have not been able to come up with a common agenda and strategy so far.

Reportedly, 10 members of PML-Q, 15 of a PTI likeminded group and five independent lawmakers are important stakeholders for a political change in Punjab. A simple majority in the 371-member Punjab Assembly requires 186 members. At present, PTI has 181 members in the assembly and without PML-Q, there can be no change in Punjab. Other stakeholders appear to be quietly observing the situation.

There are reports of 10 PML-N members having joined the forward bloc in Punjab Assembly. But the Eighteenth Amendment has hindered the role of floor-crossing lawmakers. Under Article 63A of the Constitution, any member of the assembly will be disqualified if he or she votes in favour of or against the leader of the house in violation of the instructions of the parliamentary leader of his or her party.

Therefore, questions are being raised about the political benefits of forming a forward bloc in the PML-N. Members of the assembly kept asking each other about the development. The PML-N's forward bloc has a majority of lawmakers who voted for Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in the Speaker's election because of personal ties. Twelve members of PML-N had voted for Parvez Elahi. Analysts believe the speaker may also become a candidate for the top post in the province.

The 15 members of the likeminded group in PTI will have an important role in the emerging situation. The group sided with Chief Minister Buzdar during a row involving former chief secretary Azam Suleiman but now it seems estranged from him.

Members of the group also expressed their concerns in a meeting with Zulfi Bukhari, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister. NAB has also issued a notice to Ghazfar Abbas Cheena, the head of the group and he has approached the high court against the notice. The group is demanding power sharing in any possible change in Punjab. Former secretary services Dr. Shoaib had persuaded the Hum Khayal Group to meet the chief minister.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2020