-PM, Zardari hold discussions, both leaders meet Shujaat Hussain in Lahore
-Parvez Elahi says he will defend if anything is said against Gen. Bajwa (retd)
-Says PML-Q is not PTI’s opponent but an ally
FROM ABID USMAN
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) senior leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has been tasked with preventing the Punjab Assembly from being dissolved at the hands of Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The development came during multiple meetings between Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and Shujaat Hussain.
PM Shehbaz and Asif Zardari decided not to contact Parvez Elahi until a green signal is received from Shujaat Hussain, the sources added. Following the huddle, Zardari also called on Hussain and discussed various strategies to counter the PTI’s plan.
Talking to journalists, PML-N’s Attaullah Tarar said that Punjab’s situation was discussed during the meeting between the prime minister and the PPP’s co-chairman.
All the constitutional options, including the vote of confidence, were discussed in the meeting, he added. The PML-N leader said that a final decision in this regard would be made during his party’s meeting scheduled to be held Monday.
It is pertinent to mention here that Imran Khan, a day earlier, announced dissolving the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on December 23.
Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz Sharif and PML-Q leader and Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain agreed on further strengthening bilateral cooperation to steer the country out of the prevailing crisis.
The development came during a meeting between the prime minister and the PML-Q leader held at the latter’s residence in Lahore. According to a declaration, PM Shehbaz visited Shujaat Hussain and inquired after his health. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest and current political situation in the country were discussed.
Hussain lauded the premier’s efforts for the restoration of the economy and providing relief to the masses, read the declaration. He also appreciated the prime minister for taking measures to steer the country and the people from the problems, it added.
“Close cooperation [between PML-N and PML-Q] is vital for political stability and steering the country out of the prevailing crisis,” agreed both the leaders.
Federal ministers Tariq Bashir Cheema, Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan were among the attendees of the meeting.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi has said that he and his party will be the first ones to defend General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa if anything further is said against the former army chief.
The statement came during Parvez’s unofficial conversation with journalists when he referred to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s criticism of former army chief Gen (retd) Bajwa in Saturday’s address to party workers.
“I felt very bad when Khan was speaking against Gen (retd) Bajwa,” Parvez said adding that the former army chief was a “benefactor” and nothing should be said against benefactors.
“Gen (retd) Bajwa gave many favours to him [Khan] therefore the favours shouldn’t be forgotten,” the Punjab CM reminded the PTI chief. He said that they are allies of PTI instead of opponents but they can’t forget the favours of their “benefactors”.
The Punjab chief minister said that Khan did not allow former federal minister Moonis Elahi to sit with him but Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) backed Imran Khan. “We agreed immediately when Imran Khan asked to dissolve [Punjab] Assembly,” he added.
