NO doubt, there is no immediate threat to Hamza Shehbaz-led Government in Punjab, especially after the appointment of PML-N nominee Engineer Balighur Rehman as Governor of the province but the situation is still fluid because of political and legal moves by different stakeholders.
Two important developments took place on Wednesday as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had an important meeting with PML(Q) veteran Ch.
Shujaat Hussain in which the two sides decided to continue their cooperation while Hussain Ellahi, son of Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain — Shujaat’s brother – wrote in a tweet that his journey with the PML-Q had to come to an end and he would decide his political future with his cousin, Moonis.
Given the fact that both Prime Minister Shehbaz and Ch.Shujaat Hussain believe in politics of reconciliation, there is likelihood of a merger of the two parties or seat adjustment in Punjab as has already been offered by the premier.
A day earlier, Chief Minister Hamza visited former President Asif Ali Zardari and the two sides discussed a strategy for cooperation in provincial assembly, decided to fight by-elections jointly and agreed on induction of about nine PPP members of the provincial assembly as ministers in the cabinet.
There are also legal and constitutional hurdles in the way of smooth functioning of the provincial government and interpretation of the relevant laws and verdicts of the courts would also help determine the future course of politics in the province.
However, much depends on the by-elections as this would be crucial in lending stability to the government.
The contest is going to be tough as PTI, which has otherwise decided to resign from the National Assembly, has still not followed the suit in KP and Punjab Assemblies and instead announced to field its own candidates in all constituencies.
However, all this is part of the political and legal processes and things might improve in the next few weeks provided rules of the game are strictly adhered to by all sides.
