PML-Q's Shujaat doesn't see polls happening anytime soon

Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Monday said that he does not see general elections happening anytime soon, adding that Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi "may remain in power for the next four to five months".

Shujaat expressed these remarks while talking to the media after meeting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at his residence in Lahore — his second meeting with the prime minister in the last 24 hours. PML-N leader Salik Hussain, Atta Tarar and Malik Ahmed were also present during the meeting.

Chaudhry Shujaat said that the future political strategy would be decided with the consensus of other parties. "The PPP and PML-N are considering their options, including the option of a no-confidence vote," he said 

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Shujaat said that he was not in contact with the Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM) but with Asif Ali Zardari and Shehbaz Sharif. "There's a bit of tension about Punjab [Assembly], but soon a solution will come up," he added.

The PML-Q chief said that if Pervaiz Elahi decides, he can remain in power for the next four to five months. "I do not see elections happening anytime soon because, while some people are trying to dissolve the assembly, others are attempting to save it," he added.

The former prime minister further said that PTI chief Imran Khan was a wise man and does not need any consultation.

A day earlier, the prime minister held a meeting with the PML-Q chief following Imran's announcement of December 23 as the date to dissolve the Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) provincial assemblies to force fresh general elections in the country.

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The ruling coalition has tasked Chaudhry Shujaat with preventing the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly by his cousin and fellow PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

According to sources, it was agreed that the federal ministers from the PML-N would contact the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leaders for consultation on moving a no-confidence motion in the Punjab Assembly or asking Chief Minister Elahi to seek a vote of confidence.

Imran Khan, while culminating his long march last month, had said that he would dissolve the provincial assemblies where the PTI is in power. He had also said that the party lawmakers in Sindh and Balochistan would also resign.

After consulting party leaders and lawmakers for three weeks, Imran had announced that the dissolution would take place on Friday, December 23. The dissolution and resignations would trigger fresh elections within 90 days in nearly two-thirds of the total constituencies.