LAHORE: PML-Q parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly Moonis Elahi has asked the Nawaz government to read into severity of the situation and do ‘what’s needed’ with regard to security and Panama leaks scams before it gets too late.

“N-League government seems to be left with two options — either the prime minister should present himself for accountability in Panama case and take action against those involved in security leak, or be ready to get weakened politically, finding it hard in coming days to cling to the power,” Moonis Elahi said.

Talking to Dawn here on Monday, Moonis wondered how could the government be unaware of the person behind the security leaks. “It is hard to understand as why the government is taking so long to conclude investigation into security leaks story. At the same time the extreme measures to stop the opposition workers from reaching Islamabad are not working and the government is doing no service to democracy by doing so,” he said.

Moonis was booked by Islamabad police on Sunday for allegedly sending a truckload of sticks and party flags for Nov 2 protest.

Some PML-Q leaders are of the view that the N-League targets Moonis Elahi, son of former deputy prime minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, whenever it has to settle some score with the party.

“To force the Chaudhrys of Gujrat into withdrawing support they were lending to Imran Khan for the PTI’s Nov 2 protest in Islamabad, the PML-N governmen has registered a fake case against Moonis. However, such tactics will not work,” a PML-Q leader said.

Moonis Elahi said the PML-Q workers would reach Islamabad at any cost.

“Police have arrested our 800 workers, including MPA Vickas Mokal, but such tactics will not deter them from reaching their destination,” he said, adding the rulers should now read the writing on the wall and act fast.

Most of the PML-Q workers are reportedly leaving for Islamabad from Gujrat, the stronghold of Chaudhrys.

“Police have raided the residences of a number of our workers active in Punjab, especially Gujrat,” a PML-Q office-bearer said.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2016