LAHORE: The difference between the ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) have widened as the main ally of the government built ties with PML-N to in-house change in Punjab.
Despite the cold in the country, the political temperature in Punjab is hot, the main ally of the government, PML-Q angry with PTI as the government failed to fulfill the demands of PML-Q.
Sources disclosed that the possibility of any major political change in Punjab increased as the distance between the two parties have widened over the issue of non-consultation in the federal ministry of Chaudhry Monis Elahi, son of Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervez Elahi and member National Assembly.
It was said that the PML-Q would be given two important ministries in the federation and the province. However, after the formation of the coalition government, the PML-Q was given one ministry each in the Punjab and the federation.
At the same time, while forming an alliance with the Chaudhry brothers, the PTI government had assured that the PML-Q would be taken into confidence on all important issues, but the PML-Q was ignored, on which the Chaudhry brothers also expressed their reservations several times.
The Prime Minister also constituted a committee comprising Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Bazdar, Asad Umar, Shafqat Mehmood and Pervez Khattak to address the concerns. The leaders were tasked to appease the Chaudhry brothers.
Sources informed that the committee assured the Chaudhry brothers that their reservations would be allayed and the resentment of the Chaudhry brothers eased to some extent. However, then the Chaudhry brothers faced obstacles in transferring and posting government and favored officers, sources added.
Since last month, PML-Q central leader Chaudhry Pervez Elahi was angry at the lack of consultation on changes in the bureaucracy, during which he demanded a second ministry in the federation sources added. He and his son Moonis Elahi were named for it but PTI rejected the name.
Sources revealed that the PTI had agreed to give the second ministry as per the agreement; however, the decision on who should be given the second ministry was given to the central leader of the PTI. “In the current situation, voices of in-house change are being raised in the federation and Punjab,” sources said.
Realizing the situation, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif sent an important message to Khawaja Saad Rafique to meet the Chaudhry brothers and persuade them to form a new alliance with the PML-N.
Asif Ali Zardari has also mobilized to unite the Chaudhry brothers and Nawaz Sharif, sources added. According to sources, Asif Ali Zardari has persuaded the PDM to merge the PML-N factions in Punjab.
“The former president Asif Ali Zardari is playing the role of mediator between the Chaudhry brothers and Nawaz Sharif. Contacts have started which has received a positive response,” sources said.
According to the new deal, if there is a change in Punjab, then Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi will be supported for the post of Chief Minister of Punjab and Chaudhry brothers in the federation will support PML-N.
Even today, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi met Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar at Governor House Lahore and apprised him of his concerns about the interference of federal ministers in the posting and transfer of administrative officers in Punjab, sources disclosed.
