The PML-Q is likely to vote for Imran Khan as the leader of opposition in the National Assembly, party insiders have revealed.
It has been learnt that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, downbeat after his party’s poor showing in the elections, consulted senior leaders about the party’s future political strategy on Thursday.
Most party leaders advised the beleaguered Chaudhry to put weight behind the PTI in future for the party’s good.
In a seesaw game of politics, the PML-Q has received a real setback in the elections with only three of its candidates returning to power.
Those winning polls are Pervaiz Elahi, Tariq Bashir from Bahawalpur and Ashiq Gopal from Lodhran.
In case the PML-Q links its fate with the PTI in the coming days, it would be the end of its long alliance with the PPP and start of a new beginning with the PTI.
At present, the PPP is at second position with 30-plus seats in the National Assembly and the PTI and independents trails a little behind.
The PPP leadership has appointed Khursheed Shah as the opposition leader, showing its seriousness to become the future opposition party in the country.
With the PML-Q pledging its support to the PTI, it chances of running for the office of opposition leaders would increased considerably.
A senior PML-Q leader told Pakistan Today that the party was considering voting for Imran Khan as the opposition leader. He said the final decision would be made by Shujaat after further consultations.
There is an impression among the PML-Q’s remaining lot that the PPP could not be trusted as a countervailing force to the PML-N in the National Assembly. It is believed that the PPP would peddle softly and gently with their axe to grind vis-à-vis PML-N. As such, it is being argued that the PTI would be the real opposition to the PML-N and deserved the party vote.
Being rivals to the Sharifs, it appears the PML-Q will support the PTI in the coming days.
However, independent analysts say Chaudhrys would see the overall mood in the country before going for the PTI.