Former chief minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) president Chaudhry Pervez Elahi is accused of making illegal appointments in the Punjab Assembly during his tenure, according to provincial anti-corruption body ACE.—File photo
LAHORE:
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has denied rumors that PTI President Parvez Elahi is joining the party and may be appointed as Punjab Governor.
The rumours, which apparently originated on social media, circulated within party ranks and sparked a hushed debate over a possible impeachment of the Punjab governor.
In this regard, senior PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira was asked on Tuesday to confirm whether Elahi joined the party. He replied that he would welcome him if he joined, a statement that some interpreted as tacit acceptance of the rumours.
However, party sources strongly rejected the rumours, calling them baseless and baseless.
PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Hasan Murtaza questioned why the party would risk losing the political space it has secured through its Governor in Punjab. He said there was no reason for the PPP to accept Elahi in its ranks and reiterated that the party respects Elahi’s commitment to the PTI, hoping that he continues his affiliation in line with his political beliefs. He added that the party is happy with the governor who is performing his duties diligently, stressing that the rumors have no basis.
When asked about his previous comments, which were cited as proof of the rumours, Kaira said they were just light-hearted banter. He clarified that he had no recent meetings with the party leadership and therefore had no first-hand knowledge of such a decision. He added that rumors on social media do not deserve a response and no sane person would spread such claims without verifying the facts.
Another source pointed out that the PPP has not forgotten Elahi’s alleged betrayal during the tenure of the PTI government. He said President Asif Ali Zardari would not trust him again given his historical double-cross. Given Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s close ties with President Zardari, the source said Elahi would not be allowed to join the PPP due to mutual grudges.
