Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, the former Punjab governor and leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), announced on Sunday that he would be joining the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), stating that the decision was reached after much consultation.
At a press conference with PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain in Lahore, Sarwar said, Shujaat struck him as an “honest and trustworthy person” who has consistently advocated for bringing the nation’s citizens together.
In addition to urging political stakeholders in the nation to unite, Sarwar emphasised the value of cooperation during the press conference. Politicians are unwilling to sit together despite the challenging circumstances because their political differences have escalated into animosity, he noted. “I call on all interested parties to band together and launch the nation’s development process.”
He emphasised the need to strengthen the nation’s institutions in order to advance and exhorted the youth to recognise the importance of voting. Sarwar also urged the judiciary to concentrate on delivering justice to the people out of concern that doing so might ultimately harm the nation if they allow themselves to turn into a tool of any one political party.
Later that day, Sarwar tweeted to confirm his decision to join the PML-Q and express his gratitude to Shujaat and Tariq Bashir Cheema for their welcoming remarks. He said, “I have joined the Muslim League to work for the country. “Will elevate PML-Q to the level of the nation’s hopes.”
Sarwar joined the PTI in 2015, just days after stepping down as the governor of Punjab. But after the PTI took office in 2018, he was later appointed to the position once more. The PTI government dismissed Sarwar from his position in 2017 and replaced him with Omer Sarfraz Cheema.
Just hours before a crucial National Assembly session in which a no-confidence motion against former Prime Minister Imran Khan will be discussed, Sarwar’s decision to join the PML-Q was announced.
Additionally, the Punjab Assembly will be in session to choose a new leader of the house after the chief minister’s resignation.
Sarwar had previously claimed that he was being punished for defying Prime Minister Khan’s “illegal and unconstitutional” orders to clear the way for Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, who has since switched from the PML-Q to the PTI, to be elected as the chief minister.
Additionally, he had criticised Khan for his failure to establish a “Naya Pakistan” and expressed disappointment at only being able to recruit Usman Buzdar to guide the region in this direction.
Both parties stand to gain significantly from Sarwar’s decision to join the PML-Q, especially as the next general election approaches. The upcoming weeks and months will be closely watched for any new developments by political analysts.
