PML-Q’s Chaudhry Shujaat asks Pervez Elahi to return home, signals to stop siding with PTI

ISLAMABAD: PML-Q’s senior leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Monday invited Punjab’s Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi to return home.

“At the residence, my room is on one side, while the other side belongs to Pervez Elahi,” the former premier said during his address to the public following the political turmoil in Punjab last week.

Unrest in the province began after the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the chief minister's elections.

“They are trying to divide the family,” he said while speaking about the ongoing conflict within the party. He advised  Elahi to "stop making a mockery of their family."

The PML-Q leader said that speaking the truth was becoming a crime in the country. “Filthy abuses are hurled at and attempts have been made to malign my sons,” he said, adding that his sons have always taken his advice and that he is proud of them.

Shujaat said that he has always been on the side of the truth and will always do so.

Addressing the rumours being spread regarding his son’s meeting with Imran Khan, he said that those accusing lack status themselves.

In the wake of allegations of taking bribes, Chaudhry Shujaat said, “Zardari came to my residence himself.”

He then spoke about the accusations being directed toward politicians.

“Politicians are being accused of economic destruction. In fact, all the accusations are being directed towards politicians,” he said.

When speaking about the army's alleged intervention to calm the ongoing political chaos, the former PM said that it is the politicians’ fault because of which the army chief had to intervene.

The PML-Q leader then went on to speak about the issue of pending court cases against him.

“Cases in the High Court are dragged for years. A 20-year-old case against us was dragged too,” he lamented.

'Elahi knows what power means to us': Cheema

Adding to Chaudhry Shujaat’s stance on the ongoing rift within PML-Q, Federal Minister Tariq Basheer Cheema said he will only leave his position when Shujaat asks him to do so.

“It is impossible to remove Shujaat from his party head position,” the PML-Q leader said, pointing toward the unanimous decision made by the PML-Q's central working committee to remove Shujaat and Cheema from their party positions.

“Shujaat is the founder of the party and provincial offices have no authority to remove him,” Cheema asserted, adding that this was not the way parties functioned.

Speaking on the SC’s verdict, the federal minister said that once the detailed order is released, the party will review it accordingly and will file a reference challenging the decision, if needed.

“Elahi knows what power means to us,” he said, adding that he urged Shujaat not to take such steps that create rifts among family members. Cheema also stated that PML-Q will not support Imran Khan even if his party allowed Elahi to serve as CM Punjab forever.