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Imran Khan’s plan: CM Elahi’s extends support for dissolution plans
On 1 December, Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi met and discussed their options to dissolve the provincial assembly of Punjab, in what is the second meeting of the two in the past few weeks. CM Elahi said that he “stood firm” with Imran Khan and that he would “not hesitate a moment” to dissolve the assembly on his call. The meeting comes after Elahi met PTI leader Pervez Khattak, where he briefed Khattak about the challenges that the dissolution could entail, which resounded with the other party members, who said that an immediate dissolution would be “unwise at this juncture”.
The two leaders spoke of the political situation and the administrative challenges of the Punjab Assembly, where Elahi, said that Imran Khan was “indispensable” to Pakistan. Further, he added that any objection to the PTI’s plans would be met with countermeasures by the Punjab government and that the no-confidence motion cited against Imran Khan the required amount of members and that the opposition is “daydreaming.”
This allegiance to the PTI comes after Elahi could not succeed in securing any seats without the support of the PTI in the 2018 general elections. The PML-Q secured 10 seats in the 2018 elections, with a collaboration forming between the two parties. The Chaudhrys led their dissent of Imran Khan’s government but were met with PTI fielding Elahi for the CM’s seat after Imran Khan was supported by Moonis Elahi and the PML-Q. This agency of supplementary benefits led Moonis Elahi to assure Imran Khan of the chief minister’s slot in the next elections. CM Elahi’s willingness to dissolve the assembly is challenged as the Chaudhrys of Gujarat expressed their views of a “settlement” of a “seat adjustment” in the assembly as well.
Governments’ plan: Zardari objects dissolution of assemblies
Asif Ali Zardari said that he had “more than enough” numbers in both the houses of the Punjab and KP assemblies and that he could “work some magic” to save the assemblies from dissolving. He pointed out that CM Elahi “was at a distance” and that the government could use some “better options” while saying that early elections were “not good for democracy.” He spoke vehemently against the dissolution of the assemblies and emphasised the role of the opposition would continue to exist in any scenario. He commented on the political backup of the PTI and questioned his popularity in the region. He remained dismissive of the backing that Elahi, Imran Khan and the PTI are getting from their decision to dissolve the assemblies, and said: “What he [Imran Khan] was going to do, we stopped him. Now, there is a new chapter, a new thinking and we will fight him.”
‘What if left to talk to the PTI’, says government
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb claimed that the government was not holding talks with the PTI and that the two sides “lacked” the common consensus to place any dialogue. She said that the PTI wants to “snap polls”, but the government wants to maintain its stance to hold elections on time and that no conditions and negotiations are “attached” to their claims. This comes after Imran Khan stated that the PTI would “opt out” of the “corrupt system” and would either stage a dissolution or resign.
Marriyum reiterated that the elections would be held after the government finished its remaining term and that Imran Khan would not find his way because the government is unwilling to compromise on its decisions. Marriyum’s opinions are shared by others in the government, with parties claiming that the polls would be challenging without a fresh census, the subsequent delimitation exercise, and the aftermath of the flood-affected areas. (Mansoor Malik, “Imran takes CM Elahi on board as PTI ponders ‘dissolution’ plan,” Dawn, 2 December 2022; Imran Adnan, Hasnaat Maik, “CM Elahi says owes Punjab govt to Imran,” The Express Tribune, 1 December 2022; “CM Mahmood Khan says he’ll instantly dissolve assembly on Imran’s orders,” Dawn, 2 December 2022; “No-trust move against Imran Khan: Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa asked us to back PTI, reveals Moonis Elahi,” The News International, 2 December 2022; Rizwan Shehzad, “Govt ‘not keen’ to hold talks with PTI,” The Express Tribune, 2 December 2022; “Zardari bespeaks of no-trust in Punjab, K-P,” The Express Tribune, 1 December 2022)
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