LAHORE : As the Punjab assembly is preparing to pick- up its chief executive Tareen group has thrown its weight in favour of opposition candidate , Hamza Shabaz .
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) senior leader and senator elect , Ishaq Dar, had claimed in his tweet issued from London on Saturday morning that Tareen group has decided to vote for Hamza Shahbaz who is an opposition candidate for the slot of chief minister Punjab.
Tareen group’s tilt towards the opposition in the Punjab assembly is likely to add to the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) candidate and senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Chaudhary Pervez Elahi to win as chief minister in the prevailing political scenario.
In an unexpected development ,Chaudhary Pervez Elahi, who is currently holding office of the speaker Punjab assembly , had accepted prime minister , Imran Khan’s offer to be his party candidate for the chief minister Punjab slot. Chaudhary Pervez Elahi’s abrupt decision to become the government candidate for chief minister Punjab office had not only shocked the opposition, particularly, Muthida Qaumi Movement (MQM) which had an understanding with Chaudharys of Gujrat to take a collective decision on supporting or opposition the PTI government over no confidence motion moved against the prime minister, but also his own party PML(Q)did not digest the decision . PML(Q) stalwart and then federal minister, Tariq Bashir Cheema , had declined to go along with the party on the issue and resigned as a federal minister . Tariq Bashir Cheema, who has long political association with Chaudharys of Gujrat, publically announced to vote for the opposition over no confidence motion.
The political pundits believe its was Moonis Elahi who played a key role in bringing his father, Chaudhary Pervez Elahi, to an understanding for accepting the prime minister’s offer to become PTI candidate for chief minister office in Punjab. The political pundits also believe that Chaudharys of Gujrat played a gamble for becoming candidate of PTI for chief minister Punjab and it was very difficult for them to turn the political wave in their favour when the prime minister himself seems in political quaqmire .
Now when the battlefield for chief minister Punjab is drawn and final showdown is not far from happening , Chaudhary Pervez Elahi and his family’s entire political credibility is at stake. If Chaudharys lose in this crucial battle for Punjab, it will put a big question mark on their political wisdom and repute . By opting to stand with Imran Khan, Chaudharys have lost perhaps last chance to mend their decades old political differences with Sharif’s.
The opposition seems pretty confident that despite showing extra ordinary urgency in calling the session to decide who will lead the Punjab, its candidate, Hamza Shahbaz , was going to win the election of the chief minister Punjab .
Rana Sanaullah , PMLN , senior leader has claimed in his media talks that Hamza Shahbaz will outnumber Chaudhary Pervez Elahi in chief minister Punjab election.
According to Mohammad Khan Bhatti, secretary Punjab assembly, assembly secretariat will announce the schedule for the election of the chief minister today (Saturday) and its prerogative of the speaker when he fixes schedule for voting for chief minister office.