Tug of war between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Muslim League-Q has intensified, as both the factions of Muslim League show their strength here on Wednesday, amid conflicting claims about enjoying support of members of the PML-Q forward bloc.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz claims enjoying the support of 30 PML-Q forward bloc members. On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Q, which held a meeting of its parliamentary party in the Punjab Assembly at Gulberg residence of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, claimed that 25 members of the PML-Q forward bloc return to the party fold raising strength of the PML-Q in the Punjab Assembly to 62 members. The participants expressed full confidence in the leadership of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussein and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz held an Iftar reception at Raiwind residence of Nawaz Sharif in which according to PML-N MNA Captain Safder (Retd), 30 members of the PML-Q forward bloc participated.
Sources claimed that the PML-Q forward bloc legislators reaffirmed their commitment of extending all out support to Mian Shahbaz Sharif, who is working day and night to serve the masses. The sources further claimed that around 15 PML-Q legislators had also submitted their resignations to Shahbaz Sharif showing their unflinching support to the PML-N leadership. They also vowed to thwart designs of some elements to destabilise the present PML-N government in the Punjab.
It may be mentioned that there were 83 PML-Q legislators in the Punjab Assembly. Around 46 PML-Q legislators formed a forward bloc in the party. In the presidential elections held on September 6, PML-Q presidential candidate Syed Mushahid Hussein was able to secure only 36 votes while remaining 47 legislators of the PML-Q forward bloc either supported the PML-N nominee or the PPP.
Mian Atta Manika heads the PML-Q forward bloc members presently extending support to the PML-N while members of PML-Q forward bloc headed by Najaf Abbas Sial has rejoined the PML-Q rendering it in a position to bargain for power in Punjab.
After the meeting of the PML-Q parliamentary party in the Punjab Assembly, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi told reporters that in today's meeting 62 members of the PML-Q in the Punjab Assembly participated. He claimed that 25 members of the forward bloc returned to the party folds and in coming days, more would return back to their party and we will warmly receive them.
Elahi claimed that according to his information, 22 PML-Q legislators participated in the PML-N Iftar reception. However, he hoped that they would return to the party folds. Answering a question, he said that the PML-Q had set a time frame for the return of the PML-Q legislators in the party folds and if they do not return, notices will be issued to the delinquents.
He alleged that the PML-N is indulged in horse trading in Punjab to maintain its rule. He advised the PML-N leadership to respect the mandate of others and also follow the democratic traditions. To another question, he said when the PML-N and PPP decide to part its ways in Punjab, the PML-Q would decide about extending support to either of the party in the Punjab.
Najaf Abbas Sial, one of the founding members of the PML-Q forward bloc, said on the occasion that he had formed the forward bloc in the party but now Atta Manika is heading it. He said dissident members of the party would return to the party soon. He further said that the PML-Q believes in democratic norms and that was why he resigned from the slot of Opposition Leader in the National Assembly after showing majority by the PML-N.
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