The PML-Q, a key ally of the PTI in the Centre and Punjab, on Sunday decided that it was parting ways with the ruling party and launching its campaign for the next general elections – after rising tensions between the two coalition partners finally gave way, reports Tribune.
The announcement was made after a meeting of the PML-Q’s parliamentary party held under the chair of its Punjab president, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, who is also the speaker of the provincial assembly.
All parliamentarians of the party had empowered the PML-Q’s Punjab chief to decide the fate of its alliance with the government.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Tariq Bashir Cheema and Moonis Elahi, Senator Kamil Ali Agha, MNAs Salik Hussain, Hussain Elahi, Mrs Farrukh Khan, provincial ministers Hafiz Ammar Yasir, Bao Rizwan, Punjab MPAs Sajid Ahmad Khan Bhatti, Abdullah Yousaf Warriach, Dr Muhammad Afzal, Ehsan ul Haq Chaudhry, Shujaar Nawaz Ajlana, Khadija Umar, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa MPA Mufti Ubaidur Rehman and party leader Shafay Hussain.
The PML-Q leaders expressed their concern over the unprecedented increase in the prices of petroleum products and energy tariff as well as the depreciation of the local currency.
They also criticised the PTI government for its failure to rein in crimes and high level of unemployment in the country.
The party’s parliamentarians noted that the people were facing great difficulties in making ends meet because of the “negligence” of the government.
In this bleak situation, how public representatives would face their voters in their constituencies in upcoming general elections, they added.
The parliamentarians maintained that they had cooperated with the ruling PTI and extended all possible support to it. However, they added, it had now become difficult for the PML-Q to continue its partnership with the PTI.
The PML-Q leaders said instead of solving basic public issues, the government was making issues out of “non-issues” and sprinkling salt over people’s wounds.
