ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday blamed Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Asif Ali Zardari for the sufferings of ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

“PML-N is suffering because it is following the advice of Zardari,” he said, claiming that Punjab during the rule of PTI’s Usman Buzdar “outperformed” Sindh being ruled by Mr Zardari’s PPP.

The comments came at a time when he is present in Lahore holding meetings to woo lawmakers ahead of the crucial election for the post of the Punjab chief minister on July 22.

Mr Qureshi alleged the government was using money to buy loyalties of PTI MPAs ahead of the CM election as incumbent CM Hamza Shehbaz had lost the majority following the defeat of the PML-N in by-polls.

“Maryam said they accepted defeat with open heart … [then] why are they using money and why institutions like IB [Intelligence Bureau] are active [against PTI leaders],” he asked.

About the numbers game, he said the PTI had enough lawmakers to get Mr Elahi elected as the new CM. “If our numbers are less, then why is the government making offers [to PTI MPAs],” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2022