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LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PMLQ) leader Chaudhry Pervez Elahi has asserted that his party did not discuss the Opposition’s planned no-confidence-motion when Prime Minister called on Chaudhry brothers earlier this week.
“The prime minister is not worried at all about a possible no-confidence move against him by the opposition,” the Punjab Assembly speaker said while talking to journalists in Lahore on Thursday.
He made these remarks in response to a reporter’s question referring to a statement by his son, Water Resources Minister Moonis Elahi, regarding the opposition stepping up efforts and approaching PML-Q leaders to seek their support for a no-trust move.
The premier called on Chaudhry brothers in Lahore earlier this week, and after the meeting some federal ministers claimed that PMLQ leaders had assured Imran Khan of their continued support.
To another question about the opposition’s plans of tabling the no-confidence motion today, Pervaiz made a cryptic remark. “Ingredients are in the pot and I will speak on this after smoke rises after the first boil,” he said.
Asked what would be the outcome of the no-confidence motion, Pervaiz Elahi said, “Such a large pot is on the stove. Something will come out of it.”
When a reporter asked him to share his views on a statement issued by PDM spokesperson Hafiz Hamdullah that quoted Fazl as saying that the opposition would submit the no-confidence motion in the next 48 hours, Pervaiz said only the PDM president could speak on the matter.
He also appreciated the government’s decision to reduce petrol and electricity prices as part of a series of relief measures amid rising inflation in the country.
After Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced on February 11 that they would be tabling a no-confidence motion against the government, multiple leaders from opposition parties have been holding meetings with PML-Q’s Elahi and his brother, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
The PML-Q, which is an ally of the PTI government in the Centre and Punjab, has assumed much more importance since opposition parties stepped up efforts to dislodge the government through a no-trust move. In order for such a move to succeed, the opposition would require PML-Q’s votes in the National Assembly.
The Chaudhrys’ residence has been a hub of political activities over the last month or so, hosting opposition leaders, from PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif and PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari to Fazl, all of whom hoped to win over the government ally for a possible no-trust move.
Reports on Thursday suggested that at least 80 opposition MNA had already signed the resolution to move a no-trust motion against the prime minister. Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday claimed that the opposition had won support from 180 MNAs.