The PDM has called an urgent meeting to examine its political strategy.
As a result of the dissolution of the Punjab assembly, the provincial assemblies in both KP and Punjab are moving closer.
KARACHI: On Friday, the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) summoned an emergency meeting as top leadership discussions went into the night. The PDM remained adamant that the National Assembly would not be dissolved and that the government would work to finish its term.
After Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi advised Governor Balighur Rehman to dissolve the provincial parliament on Thursday night, fulfilling his promise to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and opening the door for new elections, the ruling alliance agreed.
The PDM leadership at the highest levels was reaching out to people to confer on the situation shortly after the news surfaced, according to sources who spoke to The Express Tribune.
Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman of the PPP and a former president, Shehbaz Sharif, the leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), and Maulana Fazlur Rehman were among the leaders. Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the PML-N, has also been consulted.
The leaders of the ruling coalition have been summoned to an urgent meeting as soon as possible to determine the PDM’s political strategy.
The leadership will also decide how the parties will take part in the elections if Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) provincial assembly dissolve and early elections are called.
According to sources, the PDM leaders will also determine whether or not to pursue a legal dispute over the situation. Asif Ali Zardari has pushed for a “political solution” to the situation even while legal counsel is being sought.
In addition, the leaders have stated their determination to allay any concerns raised by the MQM-P.
The provincial assemblies of Sindh and Balochistan will not yet be dissolved, it has also been confirmed.
After the consultations are over, significant decisions are anticipated.
Nevertheless, the sources stated that the PDM is adamant that the scheduled general elections take place.
governing coalition duped
As Punjab CM Elahi signed a summary for the dissolution of the provincial assembly in accordance with his wishes, PTI Chairman Imran Khan has prevailed.
The PML-N-led federal government and the “powerful circles” were unable to stop Elahi from casting a vote of confidence in the Punjab Assembly despite intense lobbying and various strategies.
A senior PML-N official informed The Express Tribune that the party’s efforts to persuade the PTI MPs to change their allegiance had been fruitless.
He acknowledged that his party had been greatly surprised by the Punjab CM receiving a vote of confidence.
Balighur Rehman, the governor of Punjab, is said to have thought about the issue following Elahi’s vote of confidence.
The governor agreed to accept the CM’s vote of confidence in order to avoid a court ruling that may have limited his constitutional authority.
Political observers find it surprising that Elahi, who has a history of friendship with “powerful circles,” supported Imran’s position on dissolving the PA.
Also being contested is Elahi’s decision to defy the directives of the “powerful circles”.
However, a PML-N attorney told The Express Tribune that the PML-Q had instructed his party to put out a motion of no-confidence against the CM following the Lahore High Court hearing in order to postpone the assembly’s dissolution.
He did, however, emphasise that the PML-N had no interest in making that choice.
