On first day of last month of 2022, Punjab became the new battleground of Pakistan’s politics.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan had fired a long shot at the end of the Long March, that his party would quit assemblies across the country because he did not want to be a part of the corrupt system.
The senior PTI leadership has approved the decision but they are waiting for Khan to launch the final assault. As per murmurs emanating from the PTI bunker, the move could come as early as December 20.
Khan is not alone in the fight for power. In a meeting at Zaman Park in Lahore, Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi pledged loyalty to him. He said he “owed” the Punjab Assembly to the former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and he would not “hesitate for a moment” if Khan ordered him to dissolve the Punjab Assembly.
Senior journalist Syed Talat Hussain held that Elahi does not want to leave the chief ministership of Punjab — “This is his best chance at staying on top in Punjab. He knows that if the PTI wins the next polls in Punjab he would not even be a 12th man in Imran’s team for chief ministership.”
He added: “Punjab Assembly [is a small thing], I will give my life for Imran Khan,” Elahi said.
On other side of the divide, Asif Ali Zardari claims he is ready with his strategic moves. In an interview with Asma Shirazi in Aaj News, he said that not only does he have enough numbers to save Punjab Assembly but he can also pull some “tricks” in the KP assembly. “Some friends have strayed to the wrong path, we have to bring them back,” he added.
It’s going to be one tough fight. Analyst Nusrat Javeed, while talking to Matiullah Jan on Neo TV said that Elahi is treading on weak ground. “My source tells me that Nawaz Sharif has taken a strong position this time — to not object to early elections if assemblies are dissolved. He is instructing his party men to get ready for elections. In worst case the PML-N will lose the electoral contest.”
Senior journalist Syed Talat Hussain held that Elahi does not want to leave the chief ministership of Punjab — “This is his best chance at staying on top in Punjab. He knows that if the PTI wins the next polls in Punjab he would not even be a 12th man in Imran’s team for chief ministership.”
Elahi’s statements and assurances are sheer delaying tactics – “He is scuttling Imran’s desire to end the Punjab Assembly,” he added.
