Zardari, Shujaat discuss Punjab’s political situation amid Imran’s threat

PPP co-chairperson visits residence of PML-Q chief in Lahore, says brief statement

Amid PTI’s ultimatum to dissolve provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) this month, PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari on Monday visited residence of PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain in Lahore and “discussed overall political situation of the country”.

A brief statement issued following the huddle said PML-Q general secretary and federal minister Tariq Bashir Cheema and Rukhsana Bangash were also present in the meeting.

“A detailed discussion was held on the political situation of the country and the current situation of Punjab,” it added.

سابق صدر آصف علی زرداری کی مسلم لیگ ق کے سربراہ چوہدری شجاعت حسین کی رہائش گاہ آمد

ق لیگ کے جنرل سیکرٹری وفاقی وزیر طارق بشیر چیمہ اور رخسانہ بنگش ملاقات میں موجود

ملک کی سیاسی صورتحال اور پنجاب کی موجودہ صورتحال پر تفصیلن تبادلہ خیال@AAliZardari pic.twitter.com/jKRVvmxFfm

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) December 5, 2022

The PTI seems to be entering final rounds of consultations to pull off its provincial power play to force snap polls, as its parliamentary parties on Saturday expressed their readiness to oblige to Imran Khan’s instructions to hand in mass resignations and dissolve assemblies “within a minute”.

Meanwhile, a curious hush descended on the political quarters in Punjab in the wake of Imran's rare offer to huddle around a table to negotiate the date for snap polls. The opposition in the province — the PML-N and PPP — which was sent into a panic after PTI’s announcement to scuttle assemblies, appeared reassured and decided to play cards close to their chests.

Also read: CM reiterates readiness to dissolve Punjab Assembly

People in the know about the developments said the opposition in Punjab has also temporarily deferred their idea of moving a no-confidence resolution against Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

The ruling coalition at the Centre and the opposition in provinces have quietly agreed upon a ‘wait-and-see’ approach and refrain from reacting to the developments until Imran’s final decision, sources said.

They added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will seek the counselling of coalition partners to hammer out a strategy to deal with the situation.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that PTI has decided to take the decision to dissolve the provincial governments after December 15.