News Analysis |
Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) senior leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has emerged as a strong candidate for a role of Chief Minister in Punjab.
The reports had emerged that PTI is mulling to offer slots of a federal minister and a state minister to the party.
PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi met Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan at his residence in Bani Gala Islamabad on Monday.
Although Pervez Elahi himself is yet to confirm the development, it increasingly looks like that he would retain the seat of Punjab Assembly while would relinquish both seats of National Assembly (NA).
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PML-Q leader confirmed that he has approached to conduct a meeting with Hamza and Shehbaz Sharif. He admitted that former speaker Ayaz Sadiq had contacted him to arrange the meeting between the two estranged leaders. According to reports, Sadiq had offered key offices in the would-be coalition government. But, he decided to meet PTI chairman Imran Khan at Bani Gala.
He has rejected the PML-N stance, that the party has the ability to gain a majority in Punjab. Although, PML-Q leader has denied any practice of political blackmailing, he assured that his party has never indulged in such practices and would refrain to do so in future.
The speculations are rife that PML-Q leader, if not appointed as a CM in the provincial assembly, will be awarded a key post of speaker Punjab Assembly.
Pervez Elahi is well-known for his laudable work in Punjab during Musharraf’s era. PTI chief praised the PML-Q leader over their “historic” development projects in Punjab.
PML-Q leader confirmed that he has approached to conduct a meeting with Hamza and Shehbaz Sharif.He admitted that former speaker Ayaz Sadiq had contacted him to arrange the meeting between the two estranged leaders.
PML-Q is yet to comment on the demands it has put forward in front of PTI.  Nevertheless, to help Imran accomplish his mission, PML-Q  has joined hands with PTI, asserts Elahi.
They have shown desire to strengthen the relationship between the two parties, which can benefit PTI in Center and Punjab.
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Prior to the meeting with the PTI chief, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain held a high-level meeting where it decided to shake hands with PTI. The reports had emerged that PTI is mulling to offer slots of a federal minister and a state minister to the party. Though, PTI claims that it has managed to reach a figure of 168 to make the government, since, the election was postponed on two seats. But, legal and constitutional experts assert that PTI still needs three more seats to reach the figure of 171. If PTI fails to achieve the required number, Imran Khan may become a PM, but, his government might be considered weak.
The decision of Pervez Elahi to relinquish both seats of National Assembly (NA) will make things more difficult for PTI in center, as it struggles to reach the desired number, after deciding not to make alliance with PPP and MMA.