LAHORE– Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif met PML-Q’s Chaudhry brothers, who are allies of the PTI-led government, at their residence after 14 years as the Opposition seeks to mount pressure on the government.
The development comes after Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari met the Chaudhry brothers — Chaudhry Shujat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi — at their residence, as the Opposition seeks to oust the incumbent government.
During today’s meeting, PML-N leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique, Ayaz Sadiq, Attaullah Tarar, Shabbir Usmani were in attendance, while Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Chaudhry Shafay Hussain represented the PML-Q.
In a statement on the micro-blogging platform Twitter, PML-N said both sides discussed the current political situation in the country in detail and also shed light on other issues of mutual interest.
Sources said the meeting lasted an hour and a half, where the Opposition leader sought PML-Q, who is a crucial ally of the government in Punjab and Centre, to support them in their quest of overthrowing Prime Minister Imran Khan’s regime.
“Back us in our bid to bring a no-confidence motion against [PM Imran Khan]. The Opposition has a unanimous stance that the government should go home,” sources quoted Shabaz as saying.
In response, according to sources, the Chaudhry brothers told Shahbaz that they would “consult their party leaders on the current political situation” as the coming days “are important”.
“We will adopt a strategy after consultations,” the brothers said.
Meanwhile, during the meeting, Shahbaz — on behalf of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif — also inquired about Chaudhry Shujat Hussain’s health and prayed for his recovery.
According to a news release issued by PML-Q media cell, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and former Chief Minister of Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif along with a delegation called on the President of Pakistan Muslim League, former Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujat Hussain and Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Parvez Elahi at their residence.
The PML-N delegation included National Assembly members Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Rana Tanveer, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Attaullah Tarar and Shabbir Usmani while Salik Hussain MNA, Shafay Hussain, Rana Khalid and Muntaha Ashraf Marath were also present in the meeting.
Current political situation in the country, among other issues of mutual interest were discussed in detail during the meeting.
Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on behalf of himself and Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif sought the well-being of Ch Shujat Hussain and wished him a speedy recovery. Mian Shahbaz Sharif also presented a bouquet to Ch Shujat Hussain. Ch Shujat Hussain also thanked Mian Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif.
