PML-Q forward bloc looking for two-thirds majority

LAHORE: The forward bloc of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) in the Punjab Assembly (PA), calling itself the Unification Block, is working to attain a two-thirds majority before naming its parliamentary leader.Claiming to have the support of 53 members of the Punjab Assembly (MPAs) thus far, the bloc has named itself a coalition partner of the PML-Nawaz (PML-N) in a bid to ‘unite’ the Punjab government. “After proving our 51 percent majority, we now have about 53 members. We will, hopefully by Friday, attain two-thirds majority of the PML-Q MPAs in the PA with the support of 56 percent of the party’s legislators,” Dr Tahir Ali Javed, the leader of the bloc, told Daily Times. “Before the Unification Block announces its parliamentary leader to replace Chaudhry Zaheer, we want to let the people and the party know we have a two-thirds majority,” he said. He said that the PML-Q had 83 seats in the PA, of which 14 were reserved, and 69 were constituency-based. He said the forward bloc had the support of 50 elected members and three members nominated on the reserved seats. He said this had resulted in the PML-Q only having the support of 11 reserved MPAs and 18 constituency-based seats. No chance: To questions, he said that he did not see any chance of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) remaining a part of the coalition government in Punjab. He said that the forward bloc had announced unconditional support for the PML-N and had not formed any strategy on the power-sharing formula. However, he added, such things would be decided as and when required. He also claimed that with their majority, the Unification Block members now represented the ‘real’ PML-Q. MPA Muhammad Ejaz Shafi confirmed that he had joined the forward bloc, saying the ongoing situation required that efforts be made for the unification of the Pakistan Muslim League in the interest of the province.Serious notice: Meanwhile, sources in the PML-Q said that following the majority of the party’s MPAs in Punjab joining the forward bloc, the party leadership had decided to take serious notice of matter and has become anxious for the party’s future. Deputy Opposition Leader in the House Muhammad Yar Hiraj said that the bloc should not be considered a “minor nuisance” any longer. However, he said that his party, the PML-Q, was holding a meeting today (Monday) to determine its future course if the majority of its MPAs decide to support the PML-N.