GUJRAT: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf leadership will not be so vocal for early elections in the changing political scene, believes a senior leader of coalition partner Pakistan Muslim League-Q.

“The PTI chief has been advised by some aides in the coalition that upcoming by-polls give an opportunity to the party to consolidate its position in Punjab and KP (where the coalition is in power) to pose a serious political threat to rival parties in next general election.

By-election in three constituencies of Punjab, including NA-157 (Multan), PP-139 (Sheikhupura) and PP-241 (Bahawalnagar) is scheduled for September 11. It will be followed by another such exercise as 11 PTI MNAs have been de-seated by the ECP following the acceptance of their resignations by the NA speaker.

“The coalition can easily face the challenge of these polls while being in power in two provinces,” the senior PML-Q leader told Dawn.

‘Completion of uplift projects; victory in coming by-polls may consolidate party’s position in Punjab, KP’

He said some background discussions between the rival parties on the matter of going for an early vote had revealed that the PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari was not ready to dissolve the Sindh Assembly “apparently due to the fear of the PTI rise in several parts of Sindh.”

He said Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi had once again assured the PTI Chairman Imran Khan of honouring the commitment of dissolving the Punjab Assembly whenever Mr Khan advised so.

“The assurance was given by Mr Elahi to Mr Khan during his first meeting in Bani Gala after taking oath at the presidency,” he said.

Another well-placed source in the PML-Q told Dawn the chances of going to elections very soon were slim as PTI chief had tasked the CM to focus on re-launching of health card, Ehsaas Ration and other public welfare projects initiated by the PTI government led by Usman Buzdar.

He said several mega uplift schemes initiated by the Buzdar government had been slowed down by the PML-N government of Hamza Shahbaz. So the task was also to expedite such schemes that were near completion or even half completed so that the lawmakers of the coalition parties could show some uplift projects to the masses in their respective constituencies prior to the next elections.

He said discussion was underway on the formation of the provincial cabinet.Asked about the new CM’s policy towards the PML-N led federal government, he said developing a sort of working relationship with the federal government was not possible in the current tense political environment in the country, especially after what the PML-N did with the PTI and PML-Q during a short period in power.

“CM Elahi will follow policy guidelines given by the PTI chief,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2022