PDM calls emergency meeting to discuss political strategy
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held telephonic conversation with PML-N’s supremo Nawaz Sharif on Friday and discussed ongoing political situation in Punjab, sources said.
Sources further said top PML-N leaders discussed a strategy to hold general elections in March or April this year. Nawaz Sharif asked PM Shehbaz to give important directions to the Punjab Governor to tackle the political situation in Punjab.
Sources added, the premiere also contacted former president and PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and discussed in detail the political situation after no confidence motion episode.
Meanwhile The ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Friday called an emergency meeting as consultations between the senior leadership continued through the night and remained resolute that the National Assembly will not be dissolved and the government will push to complete its term.
The agreement of the ruling alliance comes after Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi on Thursday night advised Governor Balighur Rehman to dissolve the provincial assembly, fulfilling the promise to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and paving the way for fresh elections.
Shortly after the news broke, sources said that the PDM leadership at the highest levels was making contacts to consult on the development.
The leaders included PML-N President and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PPP Co-Chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari and Jamiat Ulema-e- Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman among others. Furthermore, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif has also been consulted.
An emergency meeting of the ruling coalition leaders has been called at the earliest where the PDM’s political strategy is to be decided.
The leadership is also to determine how the parties will participate in the elections should the dissolution of Punjab and KhyberPakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial assemblies trigger early polls.
Sources say that the PDM leaders will also decide if a legal battle on the matter should be pursued. While legal experts are being consulted, Asif Ali Zardari has pushed for a “political solution” to the matter at hand.
Furthermore, the leaders have also expressed determination to remove all reservations expressed by the MQM-P.
