In his apparent efforts to regain lost support, Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced a slew of measures to win popular support, including a relief package, a reduction in the price of petrol by Rs10 per litre and electricity by Rs.5 per unit and a meeting with key Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) allies in Lahore.
The opposition has in recent weeks ramped up efforts to bring forth a no-confidence motion, courting various groups, including the JI and the Jahangir Tareen group, to support their move. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) long march to oust the PTI government is expect to reach Islamabad on March 8.
In response to the prime minister’s announcement of various economic relief packages, opposition members have termed the initiative a ‘political stunt’ which will have little bearing on the lives of the common man.
In turn, the prime minister postponed his weekly cabinet meeting and instead met with Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q), his only allies in the Centre and in Punjab, it was reported in the Tribune. The prime minister met with the PML-Q Chaudhry’s of Gujrat, who hold a critical five seats in the National Assembly, in an attempt to solidify their support.
The opposition’s no-trust motion has unleashed a political thaw, ushering in various first-time meetings of late. The prime minister reached out to estranged PTI leader Jahangir Tareen in a ‘goodwill gesture’. Pakistan-Muslim League-N (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif also held a ‘secret meeting‘ with Jahangir Tareen, and visited Zahoor Elahi Palace to meet with other members of the PML-Q. The opposition had tasked PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari with courting members to support a no-confidence move, and he had expressed ‘confidence‘ that the motion would pass.
However, the meeting between PM Imran and the Chaudry’s has raised speculation in Islamabad about whether the opposition will be able to amass enough support to oust the PTI government.
