They (Chaudhrys) congratulated me at midnight but went somewhere else in morning, says Asif Zardari
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) President Asif Ali Zardari said Tuesday that the opposition parties would collectively decide about the next Punjab Chief Minister (CM) as the number game was only in the hands of the joint opposition.
“We will bring a change in Punjab as per our will,” the former president said confidently while addressing a press conference along with independent Member of the National Assembly from Balochistan Muhammad Aslam Bhootani who announced joining the opposition alliance on Tuesday. Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was also present on this occasion besides other leaders.
“PTI cannot make Parvez Elahi the CM as it does not have the (required) numbers in the Punjab Assembly. It is too late now,” Zardari said a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan nominated Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Parvez Elahi for the slot of the chief minister. “The opposition will collectively nominate a candidate who will become the Punjab CM. I believe and hope that the establishment is neutral,” Zardari said while responding a question during the news conference.
Responding to questions of the journalists, President Zardari also said that he had invited PML-Q and they congratulated me at midnight but went somewhere else in the morning. “Sindh CM and the Sindh cabinet are conducting dialogues with the MQM. Insha Allah, good news is expected,” he added.
Speaking to reporters PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto said that Monday was a historic day and the united opposition tabled the no-confidence against this selected PM. The BAP too announced to leave this government and support the opposition. A day before that, the JWP announced its support for the opposition. “Today, we are grateful to Mr Bhootani for standing with the opposition and the Pakistani people during this stage. The united opposition welcomes and salutes Mr. Bhootani.”
Responding to questions, Chairman PPP challenged Imran Khan to bring the ‘letter’ before the countrymen. He said that it is Imran Khan’s habit to make false allegations. The numbers of the united opposition were sufficient when the no-confidence was submitted and have only increased since then. It was our desire to take along the allies as we believe that consensus is necessary for electoral reforms in the future, he said.
As far as the MQM is concerned, there is not a single demand of theirs that we did not agree to. PPP has decided to find mutual ground with the MQM and form a long-term working relationship for the sake of Karachi and Pakistan.
“We have and always will strive for the provinces to get their rights. People from Balochistan have played the primary role in the no-confidence, as they are coming forward with their decisions courageously,” he added. “The Speaker now cannot even think of doing something unconstitutional. We hope that our judiciary will not let rigging take place. We hope that it fulfils its responsibility.”
He said that Imran wanted to weaken the ECP and bring RTS+ through the EVMs to rig the 2023 elections. Ali Wazir’s production orders should be issued by the Speaker. Responding to a question about one of the PPP members, Chairman Bilawal said that it is the right of an individual to be granted bail by the court and the court has done so. “I hope that the courts will take contempt action against those who are threatening to go against its orders.”
The united opposition has all the numbers and more than they need to defeat Imran Khan. “This is Imran’s last week. No matter what threat he hurls, the united opposition will succeed,” he said. The ministers and bureaucracy should realise that it’s their last week too. Responding to a question about the imposition of the Governor’s rule in Sindh, PPP laeder challenged the government to try to do so.
Asif Zardari says Chaudhry Parvez Elahi ‘is too late’Zardari
