Shortly after the joint opposition’s no-confidence motion was moved in the National Assembly on Monday, PM Imran Khan made his move by luring PML-Q Punjab president Chaudhry Parvez Elahi to his side with the much-sought after Punjab’s chief ministership. It was clear to see that at the start of this crisis, it would be hard for the ruling government to come out of this unscathed. Now, the PM has had to let go of Usman Buzdar as the chief minister—whom the PM continued to protect through thick and thin and referred to as ‘Wasim Akram Plus’.
This move will help the government protect its rule in Punjab from its arch-rivals, the PML-N and PPP, especially considering how confident the opposition was of dislodging the PTI government in the province as it boasted of having more than the requisite votes. Also, given the influence that PML-Q possesses, the government will now have assistance in winning back disgruntled MNAs and other allied parties. However, this concession by PM Imran Khan may have come a bit too late considering how Chaudhry Parvez Elahi has little time left to persuade those that have exited the ruling government’s camp.
With the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP)—an ally of the PTI government—also quitting the ruling alliance and joining the opposition on Monday, all eyes are now on MQM-P as it appears that the party will decide which way the no-confidence vote goes. Both the sides are trying their best to win over the allegiance of the party members.
Reports revealed that as soon as Mr Elahi was announced as the government’s nominee for CM Punjab, he immediately got down to work as he led a high-powered delegation to meet the MQM-P leaders at Parliament Lodges. Some sources reveal that the government has offered giving another ministry to the leadership of MQM-P. Clearly the party is undecided and is weighing its options as shortly after the meeting with the government, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari sent a party delegation to hold negotiations with the MQM-P on Monday night.
Some sources say that the PPP may have more to offer to the MQM-P, and also that this overture from the government’s side may have come a bit too late. However, nothing can be said for certain; if we’ve learned anything from the past few days. Going by the example of what’s taken place with regards to PML-Q, anything can happen in the week before the vote of no-confidence and this will go right down to the wire.
This move will help the government protect its rule in Punjab from its arch-rivals, the PML-N and PPP, especially considering how confident the opposition was of dislodging the PTI government in the province as it boasted of having more than the requisite votes. Also, given the influence that PML-Q possesses, the government will now have assistance in winning back disgruntled MNAs and other allied parties. However, this concession by PM Imran Khan may have come a bit too late considering how Chaudhry Parvez Elahi has little time left to persuade those that have exited the ruling government’s camp.
With the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP)—an ally of the PTI government—also quitting the ruling alliance and joining the opposition on Monday, all eyes are now on MQM-P as it appears that the party will decide which way the no-confidence vote goes. Both the sides are trying their best to win over the allegiance of the party members.
Reports revealed that as soon as Mr Elahi was announced as the government’s nominee for CM Punjab, he immediately got down to work as he led a high-powered delegation to meet the MQM-P leaders at Parliament Lodges. Some sources reveal that the government has offered giving another ministry to the leadership of MQM-P. Clearly the party is undecided and is weighing its options as shortly after the meeting with the government, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari sent a party delegation to hold negotiations with the MQM-P on Monday night.
Some sources say that the PPP may have more to offer to the MQM-P, and also that this overture from the government’s side may have come a bit too late. However, nothing can be said for certain; if we’ve learned anything from the past few days. Going by the example of what’s taken place with regards to PML-Q, anything can happen in the week before the vote of no-confidence and this will go right down to the wire.