PML-Q sides with PPP on forming govt in Punjab
LAHORE: Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has finally given his nod to Governor Salmaan Taseer for installing a PPP-PML-Q government in Punjab.
Both the leaders also finalized modalities of the alliance in a meeting at Shujaat’s residence at Gulberg here on Sunday.
According to a source in the Governor House, after the successful outcome of the meeting, Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf was given a go-ahead to declare ‘war’ on PML-N.
The meeting, which lasted for one-and-a-half-hour, was also attended by Pervaiz Ealhi and Moonis Elahi.
The source further informed Dawn that the PPP-PML-Q alliance would initially be limited to Punjab. At least 10 ministries would be given to the PML-Q. Moonis Elahi will be the senior minister under the new setup.
‘Seeing the fate of PPP-PML-Q agreements in the past, the PML-Q has involved foreign guarantors in the process,’ he disclosed and added that the PPP had left the option of taking share in both lower and upper houses open for the PML-Q. ‘For this, PML-Q President Shujaat Hussain will have to discuss it directly with President Asif Ali Zardari,’ he said.
A PML-Q leader confided to Dawn that his party had already reached an understanding with the PPP regarding power-sharing in Punjab. ‘The PML-Q had been taken into confidence about the imposition of the Governor’s Rule and both the future coalition-partners are moving ahead according to a written script,’ he revealed.
Chaudhry Pervaiz Ealhi told newsmen at his residence that his party would engage in parleys with the PPP if they (PPP-PML-N) failed to reconcile by March 11.
Insiders said the PPP had to announce parting its ways with the PML-N and taking the Chaudhrys of Gujrat on board to give a ‘clear message’ to PML-N and PML-Q forward bloc MPAs about ‘seriousness’ of installing its government in Punjab.
They said the forward bloc legislators had already conveyed to the PPP leadership that they would not return to their parent party unless the Chaudhries of Gujrat publicly announced their alliance with the PPP.
Former senior minister Raja Riaz told Dawn that now it would be very easy for the forward bloc to make up their mind to repatriate. ‘You will see under the new development the PPP-PML-Q will comfortably form government in Punjab.’
PML-Q vice-president and former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri told this reporter that if his party went with the PPP, the alliance would be ‘short-lived.’
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