Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain’s recent corruption allegations against the Punjab government are part of efforts to set the ground for an “alternative arrangement”.

His remarks came during ARY News’ programme ‘Khabar – Mohammad Malick Ke Saath!’ on Thursday, when he was asked about his earlier statement, wherein he had suggested that Salik’s allegations could be “part of some future political agenda — to target Maryam Nawaz’s government and carve out space for himself in Punjab and at the Centre to secure his political future”.

He alleged during the ARY News’ programme that Salik’s allegations “are part of setting the stage for some post-period”.

“This statement was given selectively against Punjab. Corruption is prevalent everywhere in Pakistan. […] I have tweeted about it many times,” he added.

Asif continued: “There is an attempt to create an alternative arrangement — to discredit incumbent people so that a fresh team can be presented. Whoever is behind this, that is what I was signalling to. Please do not ask me anything more than this; I can share my personal assessment.”

He also alluded to “some wealthy people”, describing them as “carpetbaggers” who had been active in this regard for the past six to eight months in anticipation of a “political crisis”.

Asked whether the “alternative arrangement” was specific to Punjab or was applicable nationwide, Asif said: “No, no. Some people are positioning themselves behind it; it is not something that is happening across the country.”

“These people believe that the incumbent elsewhere may also become a party to the plan, but explaining it would be premature. […] This is my assessment for now; in the long run, the plan could be dropped as well.”

Asif was also asked whether the “strong reaction” from the Punjab CM House to Salik’s allegations could be linked to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s reported “close relationship” with the Chaudhry family, given that CM Maryam and Naqvi were “not known to have the best of relationships”.

“Is this closeness a factor for concern?” the anchorperson asked.

Asif said it could be a factor.

“It is not impossible, […] they are pursuing their own interests. They believe that perhaps after two years, when the elections are held, […] they could become part of a new group” he said, adding that politicians of his generation had aged and were approaching retirement.

Meanwhile, in a post on X, Salik said he had received a legal notice from CM Maryam and would file a reply soon.

“Transparency is never meant to exist behind closed doors,” he wrote.

The confirmation came after Salik, a day earlier, claimed not to have received the notice as he took a jibe at CM Maryam’s spokesperson in a post on X.

What did Salik say?

During a talk show on a private television channel on Monday, the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader praised former Punjab chief minister and his uncle Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, further criticising the incumbent provincial administration headed by Chief Minister Maryam and alleging that he regularly heard complaints of corruption.

He also questioned lavish government spending, particularly the use of an official aircraft, arguing that public representatives should remain mindful of the country’s economic difficulties. He said officials using government aircraft should be required to demonstrate the tangible outcomes and public benefits of their trips.

He also called for greater ministerial accountability, proposing that federal and provincial ministers should be empowered to perform their duties while also being held accountable for their performance.

Salik’s remarks carry particular political significance given the fractured relationship between the Chaudhry family and the PTI leadership. Salik, the younger son of PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, belongs to a family whose political loyalties have diverged sharply since the ouster of Imran Khan’s government in 2022 through a no-confidence vote.

While Elahi and his son, former federal minister Moonis Elahi, aligned themselves with the PTI, the Shujaat family chose to stand with the Sharifs. Salik’s elder brother, Shafay Hussain, is also part of CM Maryam’s cabinet in Punjab.

On Tuesday, CM Maryam said she had sent a Rs5 billion defamation notice to Salik, demanding that he retract his remarks.

She claimed the PML-Q leader’s anger stemmed from neither corruption nor progress and the issue was that she had changed the deputy commissioner of Gujrat a few days earlier, whereas Salik wanted a DC of his choice to be appointed.

Meanwhile, responding to Maryam’s remarks, Salik said he stood by his statement and had responded honestly to a question during the interview.