Pervez Elahi is not joining PPP

Party says its leader Sardar Saleem to stay as Punjab governor

LAHORE:

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has denied rumours that PTI President Parvez Elahi is joining the party and could be appointed as Punjab governor.

The rumors, which apparently originated on social media, circulated within party ranks and sparked a quiet debate over a possible removal of the Punjab governor.

In this context, senior PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira was asked on Tuesday to confirm whether Elahi was joining the party. He replied that he would welcome him if he joined, a statement which some interpreted as tacit acceptance of the hearsay.

However, party sources strongly denied the rumors, calling them baseless and unfounded.

PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Hasan Murtaza questioned why the party would risk losing the political space it has secured through its governor in Punjab. He said there was no reason for PPP to accept Elahi into its ranks and reiterated that the party respects Elahi's commitment to PTI, hoping he continues his association in line with his political beliefs. He added that the party is satisfied with the governor, who is performing his duties diligently, and emphasized that the rumours have no basis.

When asked about his earlier comments, which were being cited as evidence of the rumors, Kaira said they were merely light-hearted banter. He clarified that he had no recent meetings with party leadership and therefore had no firsthand knowledge of any such decision. He added that social media rumours do not merit a response and that no reasonable person would spread such claims without verifying the facts.

Another source pointed out that PPP has not forgotten Elahi's alleged betrayal during the PTI government's tenure. He said President Asif Ali Zardari would not trust him again, given his historic double-cross. Considering Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's close ties with President Zardari, the source said, Elahi would not be allowed to join PPP due to mutual grudges.