'Q'-PTI merger plan lands Elahi in trouble
A day after Parvez Elahi hinted at merger of his Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Monday served a show-cause notice on the Punjab chief minister and also suspended his party membership.
On the other hand, the PML-Q electoral college office-bearers authorised Mr Elahi, the party's provincial president, to take decisions on behalf of the party with regard to its merge into the PTI on its chairman Imran Khan's offer.
Former prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat took the decision after a meeting of the PML-Q senior leaders held on Sunday late night. The show-cause notice stated that the meeting took "strict notice" of Mr Elahi's comments regarding the party's possible merger with the PTI. "An explanation of your [Parvez Elahi's] unconstitutional and illegal action has been sought," it read.
The notice said the PML-Q, as a political party, has its own identity, vote bank, party discipline and manifesto - which were all violated by Mr Elahi's comments.
Party president sends show-cause to outgoing CM; 'electoral college' authorises Elahi to take decisions on party's behalf
The notice gave the former Punjab CM seven days to provide an explanation for his comments, otherwise proceedings would be initiated against him under articles 16 and 50 of the party's constitution. Mr Elahi's basic party membership was being suspended until the explanation was provided, it added.
The show-cause notice was also sent to Moonis, Hussain Elahi and Senator Kamil Ali Agha, saying it was found that they were joining another party with the ex-CM. The notice said their National Assembly and Senate seats were a trust of the PML-Q with them and their move to join another party would be unconstitutional.
"If any of them wanted to join another party then they should relinquish their positions and resign, otherwise the PML-Q would have no other option but to approach the Election Commission of Pakistan to de-seat them," it added.
The notice also gave them seven days to provide an explanation.
'We are with Elahi'
While declaring that Parvez Elahi is their leader, the PML-Q office-bearers at their meeting, however, suggested that he consult party's leaders at the district level. "The consultation for the future plan of action has started and a decision will be taken after developing complete consensus," Elahi acknowledged.
The meeting held at Mr Elahi's residence in Lahore discussed the merger offer given by the PTI chairman. The leaders arrived at the conclusion that Mr Elahi enjoys complete authority to take decisions on behalf of the party.
On the suggestions put forth by the officebearers, the meeting urged the PML-Q provincial president to extend the consultation process to the party's district-level leadership. The meeting decided that the party would hold consultation meetings with all district office-bearers to arrive at a consensus decision. It was agreed that a meeting of the office-bearers would be convened at the Muslim League House to be addressed by Parvez Elahi.
PML-Q women wing president Khadija Farooqui was directed to begin the consultation process with women office-bearers. The party would also hold consultations with all its wings, including lawyers, labour, minority, youth, scholars, farmers, culture, traders and doctors.