GUJRAT: Formal talks between the leadership of PTI and PML-Q over cooperation in the formation of governments in the centre and Punjab will begin on Monday (today).

Senior PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervez Elahi is likely to meet PTI Chairman Imran Khan in Islamabad amidst media reports of Q’s demand of either Punjab chief minister or the deputy prime minister office for Pervez Elahi.

Chaudhry Moonis Elahi, a senior PML Q leader, told Dawn that a formal meeting between Pervez Elahi and Imran Khan might take place on Monday in Islamabad to discuss the matters relating to the formation of governments.

He strongly denied reports that his party had put forwarded the demand of Punjab chief minister or deputy prime minister slot to the PTI leadership and lamented that the media should have contacted the PML-Q before airing such a news.

According to the reports in media citing sources within the PML-Q, the Chaudhrys of Gujrat have demanded the post of Punjab chief minister or deputy prime minister as a condition for forming a coalition provincial government with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

According to sources within the PML-Q, the party has sent its demands for supporting PTI in Punjab to the PTI’s senior leadership for consideration.

PTI spokesman Naeemul Haq, while addressing a press conference on Sunday, dismissed speculation that a chief minister belonging to a political party other than the PTI would be appointed.

“The Punjab chief minister slot belongs to the PTI. There should be no misgiving on this issue,” he told reporters.

Another PML-Q source said the party might opt for Punjab governorship during the bargaining process.

The PML-Q has four members-elect to the National Assembly as well as eight members in the Punjab Assembly.

Pervez Elahi was elected from three seats -- NA-64 (Chakwal), NA-69 and PP-30 from Gujrat. He is being seen as a strong contender for the top slot in Punjab as the PML-N has also formally contacted Pervez Elahi through NA speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed.

However, the Q has reportedly given cold-shouldered response to the PML-N and sources within the party say that the PML-Q is inclined towards making a coalition with the PTI since both the parties have jointly contested the July 25 elections by making seat adjustments in at least five districts of Punjab that had paved the way for the victory of aspirants of both parties in those districts, including that of Gujrat.

The PML-Q is also reportedly in contact with seven independent candidates in Punjab.

The PTI, meanwhile, is finding it difficult to field a suitable candidate for the top slot in the province, though there has been discussion within the party regarding Elahi, who has experience of serving Punjab (2002-07).

“In case there is no consensus in the PTI on his name, Elahi will prefer retaining an NA seat,” a source earlier told Dawn.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2018