In a strong stance, PML-Q member Moonis Elahi rejects joining the Opposition’s political misadventure against the PTI government. Moonis Elahi, who is the Federal Minister for Water Resources dropped major bombshells during his speech for the international symposium on the hydropower development held on Monday.
During his speech, Moonis Elahi directly addressed PM Khan and clarified PML-Q’s position and continued support for the PTI government.
“We are politicians. Our job is to meet people, welcome them into our homes,” Moonis Elahi said, hinting at the recent visits made by both PPP President Zardari and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif in a bid to win PML-Q’s support for the no-trust move.
“However, I request you to strongly tell PTI ghabrana nahe hai,” Moonis Elahi said, reaffirming his party’s support for the government.
مونس الہیٰ نے شہباز شریف سے ملاقات پر وزیراعظم کے سامنے آن ائیر بڑا اعلان کر دیا۔
یہ تماشا لگا ہوا ہے اگر کوئی گھر آئے تو مہمان نوازی کرنی پڑتی ہے لیکن وزیراعظم صاحب آپ تحریک انصاف کے دوستوں سے تگڑے ہو کر کہ دیں
کہ گھبرانا نہیں ہے ہم آپ کے کیساتھ ہیں اور نبھائیں گے۔ pic.twitter.com/W1d9D5UWgF— Muhammad Faizan Yasin (@faizanMFY) February 14, 2022
This is a rather important development, especially after the Opposition’s recent visit to the Chaudhry brothers. Since the Opposition is gearing up for an intense political battle against the PTI government, it is reaching out to government alliances and PTI dissidents. The Opposition also reached out to PTI’s only ally in Punjab, PML-Q, run by the Chaudhrys of Gujrat.
Read more: Post-PDM scenario: Can PPP and PML-N go together?
Opposition’s plans in danger?
Last week, PPP President Asif Zardari paid a visit to the Lahore residence of the Chaudhrys to inquire after PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujat Hussain, who remained ill for some time and recovered a couple of weeks ago.
PML-Q Punjab president and Punjab Assembly Speaker Parvez Elahi, federal ministers Moonis Elahi and Tariq Bashir Cheema, MNA Chaudhry Salik Husain, Shafay Hussain, and Rukhsana Bangash were also present.
Sources stated that Zardari held exclusive meetings with Mr. Hussain and Mr. Elahi and discussed the Opposition’s plan to bring a no-trust move against the government. However, PML-Q said it could not become a part of any “political misadventure” against the PTI government.
Moonis Illahi, Water Resources Minister, just dropped two powerful bombs, "Mother of All Bombs" into Pakistani politics; he rejected possibility of PMLQ supporting PDM's "No Confidence Move" & he declared "We will start work on Kalabagh Dam" – Now wait for the Media fireworks! pic.twitter.com/vIpiOmj6CN
— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) February 14, 2022
After Zardari’s visit, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif also paid a visit to PML-Q’s Chaudhry brothers. Important to note, he met with the PML-Q leadership after a gap of 14 years. During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif sought PML-Q support in their mission to overthrow the government. However, PML-Q requested time to hatch out a strategy.
Now, with Moonis Elahi’s statements, it seems as if the Opposition will not win the support of PML-Q, putting its plans of a no-trust move against the government in jeopardy.
Earlier this month, PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif gave his approval for a no-trust movement against the government. The decision came during PML-N Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting. Nawaz Sharif directed Shehbaz Sharif to adopt all means to oust the government. Owing to the rising inflation and misgovernance, the Opposition is determined to send the government packing.
Read more: Nawaz Sharif makes strong statements against PM Khan