ISLAMABAD: Political scenario in Pakistan is changing everyday from the day the opposition filed a no-confidence move against the Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly Secretariat a few days ago.
The latest twist on the country’s political horizon is the Jahangir Khan Tareen group”s decision to support the Opposition’s no-trust move against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Meanwhile, Jahangir Tareen group has decided not to support Aleem Khan as the candidate for the Chief Minister of Punjab position in case the incumbent CM Usman Buzdar is changed either by the Prime Minister or through the no-trust vote.
Interestingly, Aleem Khan has held meetings with Nawaz Sharif and other PML(N) leaders in London and extended his group’s full support for the no-confidence move against the PM. Aleem Khan also met Jahangir Khan Tareen in London, but he (Aleem) could not get support of JKT to become chief minister in Punjab after as a replacement for Usman Buzdar.
Furthermore, the PTI and its allies have become laughing stock in the country after Federal Minister Sheikh Rashid accused PML(Q) of blackmailing the government with mere 5 seats.
Nevertheless, Federal Minister Moonis Elahi, gave a befitting reply to Sheikh’s allegation by saying that he (Sheikh Rashid) is blaming those leaders of PML-Q from who he had been taking money in the past. Moonis Elahi also said that Sheikh Rashid was one-seat Minister to belittle his (SRA) political stature.
Seeing a renewed tension in the politics, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, nonetheless, has softened his stance towards PML(Q) and Opposition parties and now seeking a dialogue between the government and the opposition instead of using threatening tones a few days ago.
According to media reports, the rapidly changing political situation in the country has taken another turn today, as the Jahangir Khan Tareen (JKT) camp has decided to support the no-confidence move of the opposition in Centre and Punjab province as well.
The JKT camp also decided to support Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in Punjab, if it gets the approval from the opposition to become Chief Minister of the province.
The JKT camp will support Ch Pervaiz instead of putting its weight behind Aleem Khan, who recently met PMLN supremo Mian Nawaz Sharif in London.
According to The News, the JKT camp is claiming 8 to 10 MNAs support in Centre and 22 to 26 MPAs backing in Punjab, adding that the camp was not interested in supporting Aleem Khan due to some reasons. Party sources said “when we stood against Usman Buzdar in the past, Aleem Khan avoided joining any side at that time”.
Meanwhile, former president Asif Zardari and PMLN President Shehbaz Sharif might announce the name of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi as the next chief minister of Punjab for the rest of one-and-a-half year tenure of the current assemblies.
According to sources, Chaudhry brothers wanted to get an assurance for the slot of Punjab chief minister during 2023-28 period, but it was not agreed upon by the joint opposition and they offered CM-ship to Chaudhry Pervaiz for the remaining tenure of the present government.
Sources in the PMLN claimed that Chaudhry brothers may join the PMLN, but even then they will not get the slot of CM Punjab, but might get some good posts in the federal government as well as in Punjab.
A senior leader of the JKT camp, Raja Riaz, confirmed that the JKT camp will support joint opposition’s planned no-confidence in Centre. And in case of Punjab, they will support Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi for the slot of chief minister Punjab.
Later, when the reporter contacted him again to confirm something else, he backed out from his earlier statement and said that nothing was final so far. “Jahangir Khan Tareen will take the final decision after coming back to the country,” he said adding that no final agreement or decision to support Ch Pervaiz Elahi or Aleem Khan had been taken so far.
