‘External pressure’ stopping PTI MNAs from joining PML-N: Shahid Khaqan

Former PM says he personally knows 22 of those parliamentarians who have approached his party

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has reiterated his claim that as many as 29 parliamentarians from the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf have expressed a desire to join Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), yet they were not making a move due to ‘external pressure’.

Speaking in a television talk show on Wednesday night, Abbasi said that these lawmakers had approached PML-N multiple times, but have not joined the party because of ‘external pressure’.

He added that these parliamentarians would only come forward when the pressure was eliminated. Abbasi elaborated that steps must be taken according to the constitution and not at the whims of some ‘outside influence’.

The former prime minister made the same claims a few days ago in another TV talk show during which the Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary rejected such claims. Chaudhry said such rumours have been circulating for many years and nothing came out of them.

Referring to the mini-budget being tabled in the parliament on Thursday, the former prime minister said that the government bowed to the agenda of the International Monetary Fund.

He added that it sought to increase inflation in the country rather than increase economic production and create jobs.