 |
| Photo courtesy of Parvez Elahi Twitter. |
The PML-N approached the PML-Q, a government partner, on Sunday for the first time in 14 years to request its help in overthrowing the government.
PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and senior party leaders paid a visit to PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and provincial president Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, explaining that the nine-party opposition alliance had made a "firm decision" to move a no-trust motion against the government in the coming days, with the PML-N and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl leading from the front.
Shahbaz Sharif believed that the political temperature was rising, and that opposition parties were now attempting to court government allied parties, who, like the opposition, were dissatisfied with the sitting government's poor governance and unbridled inflation, which had already pushed the masses to the brink.
According to media sources, the Chaudhrys of Gujrat are aware that turbulent days lie ahead, and they will convene party meetings to assess the broader political situation and engage in more negotiations in order to develop a consensus plan for moving forward in the current political instability.
"The PML-Q will decide on its course of action in the greatest interests of the country," Chaudhrys said, according to a source.
According to media sources, the Chaudhrys vented their frustrations with the Sharifs, which have been simmering for the last 15 years, ever since Mr Shehbaz cancelled a lunch invitation from Mr Elahi at the last minute.
They said that the two sides' trust gap continued, despite the fact that back-door diplomacy over the last five years had tempered the bad sentiments. Despite the PTI government's displeasure, Mr Elahi, as speaker of the Punjab Assembly, proceeded to issue production orders for Opposition Leader Hamza Shehbaz.
Although neither party issued an official statement, the PML-Q issued a press release indicating that the present political situation was discussed in depth during the meeting.
Media sources claimed the PML-Q was considering its options after meeting with PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari, PDM president Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and leaders of government partner Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan.
They said Mr Elahi revealed some of Mr Zardari's suggestions and requested Mr Sharif to examine his alternatives before reopening the discussions channel in the coming days.
Ayaz Sadiq, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Rana Tanvir, Shabbir Usmani, and Attaullah represented the PML-N, while Salik Hussain, Shafay Hussain, Rana Khalid, and Muntaha Ashraf Marath represented the PML-Q.
Furthermore, Fawad Chaudhry, the federal minister of communications and television, has challenged the combined opposition to launch a no-confidence vote, claiming that even opposition members would surprise them.
He further joked that the thanedar (a police officer) had put Mr Sharif on his toes, forcing him to rush here and there in order to gather support against the government.
The opposition, according to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, had raised the no-trust resolution following its unsuccessful effort of submitting mass resignations and organising a lengthy march.