Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) leader Tariq Bashir Cheema has resigned from his post as Federal Minister of Housing and Works, signalling a possible rift within PML-Q and the party’s support for Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Cheema reportedly indicated he would vote against the prime minister in the no-confidence vote.
Shortly after the no-confidence motion was tabled, PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi was named as the PTI’s preferred candidate for the next chief minister of Punjab, following Usman Buzdar’s resignation from the role.
Tariq Bashir was reportedly present during a meeting at Pervaiz Elahi’s house on Monday between representatives from the federal government, including Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Asad Umar and Pervez Khattak, and members of the PML-Q.
Before the no-confidence vote had been submitted, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had also named Pervaiz Elahi as his preferred candidate for the provincial chief ministership role.
The PML-Q’s five votes in the National Assembly are proving critical for both sides of the aisle in the no-confidence motion tabled against the prime minister.
Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif presented the no-confidence motion against the prime minister at Monday’s session, which was presided over by Deputy Speaker of the NA Qasim Suri. After the motion was tabled, the session was adjourned for arguments till Thursday, March 31.
