ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Defence Pervez Khattak on Wednesday denied issuing any statement against the ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) major ally Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) or its senior leader Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.
“I have not issued any statement on media against PMLQ or Pervaiz Elahi. I’m in contact with all our allies on a daily basis,” he wrote on his Twitter handle.
The tweet came in the backdrop of a statement by the defence minister who had allegedly taunted the PML-Q for blackmailing the ruling party over the post of Punjab chief minister.
“You can accept the offer if PML-N was giving it to you,” Khattak had allegedly said according to a media report.
PML-Q leader Moonis Elahi, sharing the media report, had asked Khattak to clarify his statement.
To this, the defence minister said that he did not give any such statement to the media.
Moonis, replying to Khattak’s statement, thanked the defence minister for the clarification.
Pervaiz Elahi, earlier on Tuesday, rang alarm bells for PM Imran, saying that the premier was “100%” in trouble because of the no-confidence motion against him.
In an interview with a private news channel, the PML-Q leader – a major ally of the ruling party at the Centre and in Punjab – criticised the prime minister, saying that he had a desire for revenge, which was not the way to govern.
“Imran Khan is 100% in trouble, as all allies are on the opposition side,” Pervaiz Elahi said. “The government 100% lacks wisdom and understanding. The prime minister has a great desire for revenge, which is evident from the fact that he puts everyone in NAB [National Accountability Bureau]. There are no such ways to govern,” he added.
The Punjab Assembly speaker backed the opposition’s claim that it had more votes than the number required for the success of the no-confidence motion. “The opposition is right to say that they have more people. And ‘surprises’ have yet to come,” the former Punjab chief minister said.
However, earlier today, Pervaiz Elahi said that the PML-Q had neither quit the government nor has it joined the opposition in the no-confidence motion against PM Imran.
The statement of the PML-Q senior leader came amid the emergence of banners in Lahore calling for Pervaiz Elahi to be appointed as the chief minister of the province. –Agencies
