ISLAMABAD, July 12: The top leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q will meet here on Sunday to discuss the political situation in the country as well as the party’s future line of action in case the PML-N quits the federal government.

Party president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain will preside over the central executive committee’s meeting. He had earlier hinted that a ‘big change’ would take place in the country in the next two months and claimed that his party would “safeguard the future of the democratic system”.

A source said the party leadership felt threatened in Punjab and it might adopt a tougher stance against the PML-N while softening its attitude towards the PPP to keep the “window of opportunity” open for its possible participation in the coalition.

The 30-member CEC that is likely to discuss the coalition government’s “failures” may decide to launch a public mobilisation campaign.

PML-Q’s information secretary Senator Tariq Azeem Khan said the party might also discuss the ongoing operation in Fata, especially in the Khyber Agency, and the fears of US intrusion in tribal areas.

The party is plagued by internal differences on policy matters, with a section wanting to continue to support President Pervez Musharraf in case of a possible impeachment move while others wanting to withdraw its support to a person who had “ditched the party and made the PPP his new bedfellow”.

The party may also discuss possible scenarios and its role in the coming days, including the possible collapse of the PPP-led coalition after the PML-N, JUI-F and ANP have voiced concerns over the government’s policies.

The party has invited 70 party leaders from across the country against the original CEC strength of 30 to broaden the scope of consultations.

A party source dismissed the possibility of the PML-Q joining the PPP-led government anytime soon “even if the party is made an offer … because nobody wants to get on a sinking ship”.

The sources said the party leadership was “pleased with the PML-N’s stance that it will not ditch the PPP-led coalition at any cost”.

Another party source said the party would also grapple with its internal rifts which culminated in the expulsion of Kashmala Tariq and many of her followers.

He said the party would also try to dispel allegations levelled by Kashmala Tariq against the Chaudhrys that they intended to join the coalition government and that they had attempted to meet Nawaz Sharif.

The party is also likely to discuss the performance of the Punjab coalition government which was blamed for political and personal victimisation.