Assemblies to complete terms: PML-Q

Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader and the incumbent Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi announced on Sunday that a consensus has been reached that the present assemblies will complete their terms, saying Prime Minister Imran Khan should continue his efforts.

The PML-Q, a party that is being speculated to be an ‘at-risk’ ally of the ruling party, announced the decision after a two-day consultative meeting on the ongoing political situation developed following the opposition parties submitted a no-confidence motion against PM Imran, who is relying on allies to survive the no-trust move.

The party leadership announced that the party has made its decision and final consultation was underway with other coalition partners of the government as they were working together.

“It was agreed that the present assemblies will complete their term,” Speaker Punjab Assembly was quoted as saying in the official statement released after the meeting. “We have made our decision, final consultation is underway with our colleagues,” Elahi said.

In his interaction with the media after the meeting, Elahi, without revealing what decision has been taken, said that the allies of the PTI-government — PML-Q, MQM-P and the BAP — are working together.
“If we join hands with the Opposition, we will resign from the ministries,” said Elahi.

However, the statement regarding the completion of the assemblies does not go along with what PML-N and PPP have been saying.

Both the major opposition parties have already thrown their weight behind fresh elections. However, Elahi’s statement suggests that the change might only be witnessed in the Centre, in case the no-trust motion is successfully executed and provincial assemblies might continue functioning as they are for the remaining tenure.

Also read: PML-Q assures PM of full support

For the government’s allies, political analysts say, it was easier to say that they stand by the government come what may. However, contrary to key federal ministers’ repeated claims that the allies were with the government, the key government ally in the Centre and Punjab — (PML-Q) —hinted on Sunday for the first time that they could resign from the portfolios they hold if they decide to go with the opposition alliance.

With five votes in the National Assembly, PML-Q has two portfolios — Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Housing & Works — in the federal cabinet along with speakership in Punjab Assembly and, as per sources, they are offered Punjab’s chief minister slot by the opposition provided they part ways with the ruling party and support the opposition on the no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The PML-Q leadership has also announced that “a meeting with Shehbaz Sharif could take place at any time”.

The statement has come days after PML-N president and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz had met Chaudhrys at their residence after a gap of 14 years to seek their support against the government.

Moreover, Elahi while announcing that PML-Q lawmakers would resign from ministries if the party joins the opposition alliance said that he had a meeting with a member of the Jahangir Tareen group Aun Chaudry as well, adding that he will "soon make an announcement who to support."

Also read: Rashid disowns 'blackmailing' remarks about PML-Q

Both Tareen and Aleem Khan factions – the disgruntled PTI leaders’ groups – had emerged after estranged members of PTI alleged that the party maltreated senior leaders like Tareen and Aleem during its three-and-a-half-year rule in the centre and Punjab, saying they were now mulling over if they should lend support to PTI or the opposition in the Centre and Punjab.

Reportedly, the Tareen group has already announced that it would only move forward on a "minus Buzdar" – Punjab CM Usman Buzdar – policy. Elahi has emerged as a strong candidate for Punjab’s top slot, especially, after PM Imran backed Buzdar amid opposition parties’ offer to Elahi that he could become provincial head if he breaks away from the government’s alliance.

Another important issue that the Chaudhrys discussed in the huddle was PTI’s decision to keep its members away from the National Assembly session when the House finally goes for voting on the no-confidence resolution against the premier.

For days, the ministers and other officials are busy threatening PTI lawmakers with a disqualification in case anyone violates the party’s directives and, in their statements, they are implying that NA Speaker Asad Qaiser has the power to disqualify members over floor-crossing under Article 63-A (disqualification on grounds of defection) of the Constitution.

Political analysts say that the article implies that the speaker acts only as a post office in the whole process and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) holds the final authority to make a decision on the matter.
As opposed to PTI’s constant emphasis that the NA speaker could disqualify PTI lawmakers, the PML-Q left little to the imagination when Elahi said that “the constitution and law are very clear, the NA speaker should abide by it”.

The PML-Q’s consultative meeting was chaired by Shujaat and Elahi and attended by Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, Tariq Bashir Cheema, Moonis Elahi, Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Hussain Elahi and Chaudhry Imtiaz Ranjha.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Allama Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi called on Chaudhrys at their residence.