LAHORE: Punjab Assembly opposition leader Hamza Shahbaz has not ruled out alliance with the PML-Q at some point in time, saying ‘let the time come’.

When asked whether the PML-N was weighing its option to make alliance with the PML-Q in coming days to form its coalition government in Punjab, Hamza said: “Let the (right) time come.” The PML-Q is a coalition partner of the PTI government both in the Centre and Punjab.

Talking to reporters outside the Punjab Assembly here on Thursday, the junior Shahbaz, who is on judicial remand in income beyond means and money laundering, and Ramzan Sugar Mills cases, said the ‘incompetent’ government of Imran Khan had caused huge economic crisis and it did not seem that the country get out of it soon. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan Niazi should come out of ‘Nawaz-Shahbaz phobia’ and pay full attention to his performance. He said in 15 months fifth IGP on Thursday assumed his charge in the province, exposing the performance of the Buzdar administration.

Hamza is attending the ongoing PA session after Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi issued his production order. Over 100 PML-N lawmakers had tendered their resignations from the standing committees pressing the government to make Hamza Public Accounts Committee chairman and issue his production order. The government, however, has not yet decided to make him PAC chairman.

Meanwhile, PML-N lawmaker Khwaja Imran Nazir said Niazi and his team had become a security risk for the country. He said the people were praying to get rid of this ‘inept’ government that made their lives miserable through price hike, inflation and unemployment.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2019