ISLAMABAD: Alarm bells have rung for Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar as a veteran politician and MPA-elect Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday formally announced to take oath as Member of Punjab Assembly in today’s session.
The announcement comes after a series of back-to-back quiet meetings between Nisar and some key players in Rawalpindi and Lahore. Though Nisar had won election from PP-10, Rawalpindi in general elections held three years back in 2018, but he chose not to take oath and the seat remained vacant for three long years.
Nisar contested the 2018 general elections from two National Assembly and two provincial seats, losing all but the PP-10 (Rawalpindi-V) seat which he won with a good margin of over 30,000 votes.
“I have consulted my associates and the people of my constituency and will be taking oath in the Punjab Assembly tomorrow, on Monday,” a statement issued by his office said.
Nisar, a former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz stalwart, parted ways with his party of more than 35 years in 2019 after developing differences with deposed prime minister and party’s leader Nawaz Sharif.
In his statement, Nisar said that his agreement to take the oath did not mean he had changed his mind but maintained that he would neither take his salary, nor avail the perks provided to legislators.
He further said that he had decided to take the oath almost three years after winning the seat so as to take control of the political situation in his constituency.
Boycotting the by-election and leaving the political turf unoccupied for rivals will be a major political mistake, he said.
He said that it would not be sensible to participate in the by-polls without becoming a member of the provincial assembly.
He further said that he was also mindful of the risk of the spread of Covid-19 during election campaigns and mass gatherings in case of him stepping down as a lawmaker and the subsequent scheduling of a by-poll.
Nisar’s decision has come amid the government’s plan to bring an ordinance for cancelling the membership of lawmakers who have not taken oath within the required period after winning the election.
His decision to not taking oath for three long years has also been challenged in the Lahore High Court.
A petition was filed in the court pleading to direct the Election Commission of Pakistan to de-notify Nisar for his failure to take oath, and also order the federal and Punjab governments to amend the relevant laws and introduce a time frame for lawmakers-elect to take their oath.
The petitioner said that Nisar’s decision to not take his oath was a violation of the law of people’s representation.
DECISION DOESN’T MEET THE EYE:
However, political observers and political circles have disregarded the claim. Sources in twin cities suggest that Nisar had made up his mind after assurance from key politicians of political support to replace chief minister Punjab Usman Buzdar.
Buzdar, who has a majority by a few votes, has been unable to prove effective as chief executive of the biggest province in the country and governance has been a major hindrance. The opposition has increased its support manifold and key quarters say the next few weeks and months would prove important in a change of guard in Punjab.
Political observers also wonder that, after remaining silent and not taking the oath of the Punjab Assembly for over three years, why Nisar had decided to take the oath as a mere MPA.
“Nisar has served as the most powerful federal minister many times. He has also served as opposition leader in National Assembly. Why would he take oath as MPA now,” a political observer said.
A journalist said that Nisar always aspired to become chief minister Punjab and he must have changed his mind to take oath as MPA if assured of political support to oust Buzdar.
Another source in the PML-N told Pakistan Today that Nisar had held back-to-back meetings with PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif in Rawalpindi and Lahore and later had made up his mind to take oath as member of Punjab Assembly.
Nisar, who was once a close confidante of deposed premier Nawaz, had virtually said goodbye to the PML-N since his relations with the latter strained in 2017 over differences.
Two days back, PTI MPA from Rawalpindi Chaudhry Adnan had claimed that Chaudhry Nisar had planned to take the oath of his PP-10 Rawalpindi seat.
Adnan was not the only person to make such a revelation. A few leaders from the PML-N, who requested anonymity, also confirmed that Nisar planned to take the oath.
The PML-N officially distanced itself from the development with its spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb saying that it was not in their knowledge whether Nisar would take an oath or not. It is not the first time that media had been abuzz with such news.
In April 2019, there were reports of Nisar taking the oath of his PP-10 seat, however, that turned out to be untrue.
The rift between the Sharifs and Nisar widened when the latter in 2018 said he would not beg the PML-N’s parliamentary committee for an election ticket.
He also criticised the PML-N for having become a “family party”, which he said made it impossible for him to stay in it even though he had never really wanted to quit it. Nisar had a 35-year long association with the party.
SMELLING RAT, IMRAN SUMMONS BUZDAR:
As soon as Nisar confirmed his decision to take the oath, Prime Minister Imran Khan summoned Chief Minister Buzdar to Islamabad and discussed with him the overall political situation. The meeting discussed among other issues, the demands made by pro-Tareen lawmakers during their meetings with Buzdar and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.
The PTI sources said that Buzdar informed PM Imran of the reservations of the Jahangir Tareen group members and suggested steps to be taken to allay their misgivings. Both leaders also discussed the overall political situation, including the oath-taking of Nisar.
Buzdar also gave a briefing to the premier on the upcoming Punjab budget 2021-22.
The prime minister, later, also chaired a meeting of the PTI core committee at Bani Gala.
The meeting took stock of the political situation prevailing in the country and the participants came up with a framework as to how to tackle the issues. The meeting also deliberated on talks with the Tareen group members.
JKT GROUP MEETS TODAY:
Tareen group has called an informal meeting on Monday at the residence of provincial minister Ajmal Cheema and would take stock of the political situation and the meetings held so far with the government ministers. The meeting will discuss the future course of action.
A luncheon will also be served in honour of the participants.
