Government threatening lawmakers from voting against PM: PML-Q

ISLAMABAD: PML-Q senior leader Tariq Bashir Cheema says that the government is threatening its lawmakers from casting a vote against PM Imran Khan but it’s too late now, media reported Wednesday.

PML-Q senior leader Tariq Bashir Cheema said that Pervaiz Elahi spoke his heart out on Tuesday, he was referring to the hard-hitting interview of PML-Q leader to a private TV channel in which he had severely criticised the PTI government.

On Tuesday, Punjab Assembly Speaker and PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi said that all the PTI allies are “100% inclined” towards the Opposition.

“It is Khan sahab’s duty to reverse the tilt. But I believe the time to send delegations [for assuring support] has passed. Had he done this earlier, this could have been avoided,” the speaker, whose party is an ally of the PTI in the Centre and Punjab, said while speaking to Hum News.

“Commending Prime Minister Imran Khan is Pervaiz Elahi’s mannerism not a U-turn to his statement,” the senior PML-Q leader said while speaking on Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath.

The federal minister said that they [allied parties] were very close to the decision on the no-trust motion against Prime Minister, adding that, “we are standing with other government allies and will decide collectively.”

Refuting speculations about parting ways with the government, Tariq Bashir Cheema said, “If we have to tilt towards [the] opposition on the no-trust move, we will announce our decision very clearly and properly.”

“If we [allies] opt for the opposition in the no-trust motion, then we want to be the defence line of each other but, if we remain with PTI, then the government should talk to us,” he added.

Tariq Basheer Cheema also criticised PTI for mishandling Punjab and its governance system, adding that, “now no one is responsible to take responsibility of Punjab’s current situation.”

“Now in Punjab more than 3 factions of PTI came to the fore, but they [ruling party leaders] always speak like intellectuals on the matter of Punjab,” he added.

PML-Q leader went on to say that the Prime Minister can still hand over Punjab’s Chief Minister seat to Pervaiz Elahi, but if he [PM] still does not decide this, Punjab’s legislators will take a decision.

Tariq Cheema said that the government was still threatening its own MNAs as it didn’t know the situation, adding that, “if the government is behaving like an ‘ostrich head in the sand’ then it’s their problem.”

On a question that can the government bar its lawmaker from casting a vote against the Prime Minister, he said, “I think now it’s too late to stop MNAs from voting against the PM.”

Read more: Reach Islamabad to show you stand with the truth: PM Imran Khan tells nation