PML-Q backtracks on plan to go with opposition’s no-confidence motion

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) has seemed backtracked on a plan to support the opposition parties’ no-confidence motion after deliberation on their calls.

It was the recent contact by the federal government to a key political party amid the speculations of their bargaining with the opposition parties readying themselves to bring a no-confidence motion.

When Qaiser contacted Chaudhry Moonis Elahi, who is also the Federal Minister of Water Resources and a member of the federal cabinet, the PML-Q leader assured his party’s support to the PTI government and termed their contacts with the opposition leaders just ‘political discussions’.

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Chaudhry Moonis Elahi said in a Twitter message, “Speaker National Assembly @AsadQaiserPTI sb called me and we discussed current situation. I told him that political discussions and consultations are going on. This does not mean any decision has been taken. We are bound to our commitments and will honor them fully.”

Speaker National Assembly @AsadQaiserPTI sb called me and we discussed current situation. I told him that political discussions and consultations are going on . This does not mean any decision has been taken. We are bound to our commitments and will honor them fully.

— Moonis Elahi (@MoonisElahi6) February 24, 2022

It was learnt that PML-Q sought the chief ministership of Punjab in return for backing the ouster of the PTI government.

Sources said that PML-Q has irked over the lack of coordination between the two major opposition parties, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), making it difficult for them to mull over their proposals in case of supporting the no-confidence motion.

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Earlier, the premier had also hinted at visiting the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) Bahadurabad headquarters during his upcoming visit to Karachi.

Upon the return of the premier, the government’s strategy will be made clearer to cope with the political challenges of the no-confidence motion, long march of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) besides gaining the confidence of its allies.

Earlier, the ally party of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the Centre and Punjab, Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) had shown its cards to the opposition that ramps up efforts to bring a no-confidence motion against the incumbent government.

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Sources told News360 that PML-Q sought the position of Punjab chief minister in return for backing the no-confidence motion of the opposition parties. Sources added that PML-Q has claimed for having the support of 11 members of the National Assembly (MNAs).

Analysts said that PML-Q will become a trump card for the opposition and the PTI government if its claims for having the support of 11 MNAs as the opposition fell short of at least 10 NA lawmakers to get its no-confidence motion successful.

They added that PML-Q’s support to the no-trust move to get chief ministership in Punjab would also go in favour of the ruling PTI as it will further expose and dent the opposition’s public reputation.