LAHORE: The government of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition believes a change of government in Punjab will stable the nation’s political landscape, Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif said, confirming speculation about the central government flexing muscles for a change of guard in the province.
“Yes, we always have the option of [change of] Punjab government and we will act when we deem it feasible,” Asif told Dawn News during an interview.
Even by the standards of Pakistan’s perpetually unstable politics, the last months in the country have been exceptionally turbulent.
While the country has secured a preliminary agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to disburse a tranche of about $1.2 billion, political unrest, including massive protests led by the former prime minister Imran Khan, could jeopardise that lifeline.
But Asif suggested that a change in Punjab, which is being governed by a coalition of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, would bring upheaval to existing uncertainty.
“We are working on it politically and the change will certainly bring an end to this uncertainty,” he told the station, without elaborating on the means to achieve the feat since his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party and its partners in the ruling PDM coalition are well short of the magic number required to dethrone Elahi, chief minister of Punjab.
In saying so, he confirmed fears expressed by Khan who has claimed that a conspiracy is being hatched to topple his government in Punjab, alleging that the ministers in the province in the province were being threatened to accept bribes being offered by mysterious “Mr X” and “Mr Y”, pointing apparently to the military establishment.
Talking about the appointment of the new army chief due in November, the defence minister said it was the prerogative of the prime minister and the allies in the coalition would be taken into confidence.
He added that consultations would be made with the institution as well as it would forward the names of recommended officers for the new chief.
“So far no consultation has been started towards it,” Asif said.
