ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad power show of the opposition parties under the flag of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has failed to mount pressure on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in terms of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The PDM held a massive power show alongside Srinagar Highway on Monday in response to the PTI’s Parade Ground public gathering ahead of the voting on the no-confidence motion, however, it failed to gain momentum following the political move of Prime Minister Imran Khan by offering Punjab chief ministership to Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) top leader Pervaiz Elahi.
The PDM show was addressed by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, Hamza Shehbaz and other leaders in which they vowed again to topple the PTI regime and termed the fall of Punjab CM Usman Buzdar as their victory.
Usman Buzdar’s resignation and the nomination of PML-Q’s Pervaiz Elahi for the next Punjab CM by the premier made headlines, bulldozing the pressure of the PDM power show aiming to mount pressure on the PTI government.
Maryam Nawaz alleged that PM Khan had used religious card and the he sacrificed Usman Buzdar to save his government.
She claimed that PM Khan had shown a fake threatening letter to misguide the nation. Maryam also challenged the PTI government to get support of 172 MNAs on the voting day of the no-trust move.
Hamza Shehbaz had also claimed that the days of Imran Khan-led government are numbered.
Major blow to opposition parties
In a latest political move, PM Khan has successfully brought Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government side by offering Punjab chief ministership to Pervaiz Elahi, whereas, the importance of the Jahangir Khan Tareen (JKT) group is increased for the success or failure of the no-confidence motion.
On the other hand, another ally party of the PTI government, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) decided to choose the opposition side in the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan.
The JKT group is likely to play an important role in the success or failure of the no-trust move. The PTI government has continued efforts to gain the support of the JKT group, whereas, the premier gave an important task to the nominated Punjab CM Pervaiz Elahi to appease the dissident lawmakers.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) has also signalled their inclination toward the government side once again following the political developments, however, it did not announce its final decision.
It may be noted here that the JKT group has more members of the provincial assembly (MPAs) as compared to the members of the National Assembly (MNAs) that will play a crucial political role in the Punjab province. However, the dissident PTI MNAs of the JKT group, mostly from South Punjab districts, are present in the Sindh House.
Following Monday’s developments, the JKT group is expected to take a final decision soon.
Political analysts said that the government and the opposition have now gotten less time to take their decisions as the no-confidence motion was tabled in the National Assembly yesterday and the speaker is now bound to conduct voting within the next seven days.
Sources said that the PTI government is holding backdoor talks with the JKT group to address their reservations, however, the major demand of the JKT like-minded lawmakers was fulfiled by removing Usman Buzdar from the Punajb CM position.