PML-Q Finally Decides On No-Trust Motion

ISLAMABAD: An important ally of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek–i–Insaf (PTI), the Pakistan Muslim League–Quaid (PML-Q), will announce its decision on a vote of the no-confidence resolution against Prime Minister Imran Khan after final consultations with other allies in the ruling coalition.
At a press conference following the second day of consultations with the party on Sunday, Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi stated this to a group of reporters.
“We’ve decided. Finally, we’re in final consultations with our allies,” says Mr Elahi, who also adds that his party is working with MQM and BAP, the other two coalition partners (BAP). However, he did not mention the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), which is also part of the government coalition at the centre.

Besides being the head of the Punjab chapter of the PML-Q, Mr Elahi said that the MQM and the BAP will make a unified decision.

PML-Q’s ailing President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain presided over the meeting, which was attended by Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, Tariq Bashir Cheema, Moonis Elahi, Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Hussain Elahi and Chaudhry Imtiaz Ranjha.

Mr Elahi stated that the current assemblies would serve out their five-year term, which ends in August 2023, and that this was agreed upon.

The PML-N president, Shehbaz Sharif, might meet at any time, he remarked.

One of the leading candidates for the role of Punjab’s chief minister has stated that if they join the opposition’s alliance, they will first resign from their ministries.

The Jahangir Tareen group’s Aun Chaudhry, one of their leaders, met with them on Sunday and will deliver the verdict of his group within the next two days, he said.

According to Mr Elahi, Prime Minister Imran Khan should keep up his efforts, stating that the Constitution and law are very clear.

Mr Elahi’s appointment as Punjab’s new chief executive was requested by the PML-Q before the National Assembly’s no-confidence motion hearings, it was claimed.

Prime Minister and his Special Assistant on Religious Harmony, Tahir Ashrafi, met with Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Pervez Elahi earlier to discuss the current political situation in the country following the opposition’s no-confidence motion against the prime minister.

A Game of Chance

As of March 8, the PML-Q has taken a key part in Pakistan’s unfolding political drama, despite only having five MNAs in the country’s legislature. MQM, BAP, and GDA appear to be waiting for each other to decide.

Political experts believe Prime Minister Khan would be forced to prove his majority in the 342-member National Assembly if two of his allies left the ruling coalition. This is because of the parties’ positions in parliament, and political experts believe this would be Khan’s responsibility.

There are now 179 MNAs who support the ruling party, with 17 of them coming from the four coalition parties or coalitions mentioned above. A 17-member gap between the National Assembly’s treasury and treasury opposition is noteworthy.