Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif is likely to meet the Chaudhry brothers soon at their residence in Lahore, it has been learnt.
The PML-N president would inquire after the health of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President and former prime minister Chaudhry Shujat Hussain and arrangements in this regard have been finalized.
Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz talked to PML-Q’s Ch Moonis Elahi over the phone to discuss the future meeting between the two heavy weights.
Earlier, Hamza had also visited Hussain in the hospital to inquire about this health while PML-N supermo Nawaz Sharif had talked to his son from London.
Shehbaz would also meet Punjab Assembly Speaker Ch Pervaiz Elahi during the meeting. It would be one of the most significant political huddles in the country’s history between two political families after decades.
“Shehbaz Sharif is flying high. Earlier, he met with former president Asif Zardari and now he is planning to meet Chaudhrys of Gujrat,” said a PML-N insider.
It was considered a huge development that Zardari visited Shehbaz at his residence despite the fact that Shehbaz had used controversial remarks against him in the past. Similarly, his visit to Zahoor Elahi road would be very important, he said.
Shehbaz would try to convince the PML-Q leadership – an important ally of the incumbent government – to support the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Moreover, in-house change in Punjab would also be discussed as the provincial government could collapse if the PML-Q withdrew its support for Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.
Shehbaz was earlier mandated by the PML-N Central Executive Committee meeting held yesterday to make contacts with all the political parties of the opposition and government allies to build pressure on the government.
It would be worth mentioning here that PPP Co-Chairman Asif Zardari had also called on the Chaudhrys yesterday at their residence in Lahore.
Earlier, a delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) led by its deputy convener Amir Khan and former Karachi mayor Waseem Akhtar called on the Chaudhry brothers in Lahore on Tuesday. The delegation inquired after Hussain’s health while wishing him a speedy recovery.
Federal ministers hailing from PML-Q Ch Moonis Elahi, Ch Tariq Bashir Cheema and Member of National Assembly (MNA) Ch Salik Hussain were also present on the occasion.
Talking to the media after the meeting, Ch Pervaiz said that they were the government’s allies and it was their responsibility to give suggestions for the solutions of problems being faced by the people.
The local governments in Punjab and Sindh were discussed in detail during the meeting as both parties were major stakeholders in the systems of both provinces.
Ch Pervaiz said that he wanted the government to complete its term and therefore he gave suggestions to the government quite often.
Amir meanwhile said that the allies of the government would make any decision jointly with consultation. The MQM would further disclose its future strategy after reaching Karachi and consulting with the coordination committee of the party.
