ISLAMABAD: Following a significant setback in Punjab for the 11-party coalition, the leaders of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) are meeting on Thursday to develop a future strategy.
coalition partner
Pervez Elahi, a supporter of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, has been appointed Punjab’s chief minister, and Hamza Shahbaz, the leader of the PML-N, whose party is the main coalition partner, has been removed from office by the Supreme Court.
While PPP leader and Special Assistant to the PM for Kashmir and GB Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira supported the idea, Punjab‘s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, who is currently facing charges, also threatened to impose governor’s rule in the province.
But those are just the top executives speaking. Experts agree that it would be difficult to impose a governor’s rule because it would require solid justification.
The PDM chiefs are gathering today at the PML-N Secretariat in Chak Shahzad, Islamabad, where they expect to discuss the country’s ongoing political situation in light of the rapidly changing environment.
Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the PML-N, wants an early general election in response to the defeat in Punjab even though he has discussed leaving the Centre government with other senior party members.
According to sources, Nawaz, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior party members, and the coalition parties in the PDM have discussed the option numerous times.
When there isn’t genuine support for the ruling coalition from the state organs, the PML-N leader believes that remaining in power could make things worse rather than better, according to sources.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Asif Ali Zardari, two PDM leaders, have opposed the idea, but there is a good chance that the ruling coalition will implement it in light of the recent change in circumstances brought about by the Supreme Court’s decision in the Punjab chief minister case, according to sources.
