Ministers urge PM to patch up with Jahangir Tareen

The move appears part of efforts to torpedo the chances of success of opposition’s no-confidence move

ISLAMABAD:

Two federal ministers have urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to contact estranged party leader Jahangir Tareen in an effort to torpedo the chances of success of the opposition’s no-confidence move, sources told The Express Tribune.

It is learnt that the two federal ministers met the prime minister, suggesting him to contact Tareen but got a stony silence from him, the sources added.

Earlier, a few ministers had already urged Defence Minister Pervez Khattak to play his role to foil the opposition’s move.

Also read: Jahangir Tareen group may join hands with opp: sources

On the other hand, opposition leaders have again contacted a major government ally, the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid. According to the sources, the party had demanded the slot of Punjab chief minister in return for the support for the no confidence move.

The sources further revealed that If Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi becomes the next chief minister of Punjab, then the next prime minister, if the no-confidence move succeeds, would be from the PML-Nawaz.

It is also learnt that the PML-N has backed out from its demand for fresh general elections within four months in case the vote of no-confidence succeeded.

Political analysts believe that the role of powerful circles could not be ruled out in this situation as whether they rescue Prime Minister Imran or not.