ISLAMABAD – In its parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday, the PML-Q unanimously decided not to move a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and to exert pressure on the PML-N to initiate the process to prove its claim of being the real opposition.
“A majority of party lawmakers opined that the JUI-F and MQM’s breaking away from the ruling coalition had put the PML-N in an acid test and now political compulsions would uncover its real face of being an opposition party or a ruling one. They advised PML-Q’s central command to politically push the PML-N to move a vote of no-confidence motion against the prime minister,” a PML-Q MNA told Pakistan Today.
The Chaudhrys apprised the party parliamentarians about their talks with the prime minister, the JUI-F and the MQM. “Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had offered PML-Q to join the coalition government, while in his frequent contacts, MQM chief Altaf Hussain was convincing him not to support the tottering regime,” said the source.
“Shujaat further told his aides that the JUI-F leaders were suggesting that a three-party opposition alliance of the PML-Q, the MQM and the JUI-F should move a vote of no-confidence against the prime minister. Shujaat told the lawmakers that he had refused to the JUI-F proposal and his party would not take the initiative,” the MNA said.
Another party member said a number of PML-Q lawmakers advised the party’s command to either side with the PPP and join government or forge an alliance with the PML-N. “They said the party may have to pay a heavy price for continued political hibernation,” the source added. He said a final decision would be taken in the party’s Central Working Committee meeting scheduled today (Wednesday).
A source said PML-Q MNA Riaz Hussain Pirzada advised the Chaudhrys to float the idea of a national government, but after a thorough debate, the party could not reach a consensus on the proposal. The party meeting also decided that it would not tolerate any move by the PPP to encourage the PML-Q forward bloc (Likeminded group) and if the government resorted to such tactics, the PML-Q would not only shun cooperation with the prime minister but would also take legal action against the defectors.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said his party would keep playing the role of a real opposition in parliament. “We are in opposition and will continue playing our role on opposition benches.” Shujaat said he had made it clear to Gilani that his party had serious reservation over the recent hike in POL prices.
“I am sending Faisal Saleh Hayat, Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Raza Hayat Hiraj to meet Prime Minister Gilani regarding the recent POL price hike,” he said, adding that they would not discuss any power-sharing deal with the PM. Pervaiz Elahi said his party lacked the strength to move a no-confidence motion, while the PML-N had the required numbers to do so.
Asked what would the party do in case the PML-N moved a vote of no-confidence, Elahi said the PML-Q would decide whether to support the prime minister once the PML-N moves the no-confidence motion.
