Punjab CM Election: Zardari Urges Elahi To Join Coalition Government

Former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari has urged Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader and Punjab chief minister candidate Pervaiz Elahi to part ways with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and join the coalition government, saying that otherwise their political fight would turn into ‘personal war’.

A run-off election for the Punjab chief minister is scheduled for tomorrow, in which Pervaiz Elahi will compete against Hamza Shahbaz, the incumbent chief minister of the province.

After the Sunday’s Punjab by-elections, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has the support of 188 provincial lawmakers, much above the 186 votes it needs for a simple majority in the House, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its allies, including the PPP, have the support of 180 MPAs.

According to a report published by Samaa TV today, Zardari has conveyed his message to Pervaiz Elahi through PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

The former president is of the view that it is his moral responsibility to block Elahi’s way, which translates to ‘personal war’ instead of a political one.

It is pertinent to mention that Shujaat has already announced to support Pervaiz Elahi for the Punjab chief minister’s slot. His announcement has almost dashed the PML-N’s hopes of getting Hamza Shahbaz re-elected as chief minister in the upcoming election.