PML-N upbeat about PML-Q’s backing against PM

PML-N high-level delegation meets Chaudhry brothers to hammer out a deal

LAHORE:

As political chaos churns up on the eve of the National Assembly’s no-confidence session, a high-level delegation of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) called on Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q)’s Chaudhry brothers’ residence in Islamabad on Sunday to hammer out an agreement for the no-trust vote.

Following the one-and-half-hour meeting, PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique declared to the media that the ice has been broken, adding that both the parties share cordial ties. “I hope the PML-Q will support the joint opposition in the National Assembly on the no-confidence motion,” he added.

While highlighting that Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has always helped the PML-N, Rafique recalled that the former had issued production orders for PML-N lawmakers facing cases against them.

Chaudhry brothers visited the residence of PML-N leaders in every difficult situation and on funerals, he added.

Slot for CM Punjab

In the short media interaction after the meeting, PML-Q leader Tariq Bashir Cheema also confirmed that the meeting with the PML-N leadership remained successful.

Also read: PTI unable to break ice in talks with PML-Q

He lamented that PML-Q, as a coalition partner, did not have good experience with the ruling party during the past three years of its government.

However, both sides dodged questions related to the possibility of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi being nominated as Punjab’s chief minister.

Sources disclosed that the meeting was held in a cordial environment. The PML-Q leaders warmly welcomed the opposition delegation and extensively discussed the current political situation. The PML-N delegation also conveyed the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s message to the Chaudhry brothers.

It is pertinent to mention that a day ago, the ruling party had also told the PML-Q leadership that it was ready to give any other concession to its one of the main allies but not the chief ministership of Punjab in return for their support in the National Assembly on the no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Sources indicated that the PML-Q is weighing its options by holding meetings with both sides. Sunday’s meet-up was to seek promise for Punjab’s chief ministership from the PML-N if they support the opposition alliance to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Also read: PML-Q's Elahi advises PM Imran to remain cautious of aides

Earlier, it was reported that Nawaz Sharif had refused to give Punjab Chief Minister’s office to Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

A day earlier, PTI Vice Chairman Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and President PTI K-P chapter and Defense Minister Pervez Khattak met with Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, Federal Ministers Tariq Bashir Cheema and Moonis Elahi.

Qureshi and Khattak conveyed the message of Prime Minister Imran Khan to the PML-Q leadership. Tariq Bashir Cheema apprised them of the problems their party has been facing for the last three and a half years and their solutions were openly discussed.

The PTI leaders said that they would inform Prime Minister Imran Khan about the whole situation.
Another round of talks between the PML-N and PML-Q is expected before the National Assembly Session today.