PPP to withdraw support in Punjab, form its own government

Islamabad, Jan 22 (ANI): The Pakistan People's Party is on verge of quitting the Punjab Government in order to form its own government in the province with the help of the PML-Q, leaving main coalition partner PML-N in the lurch.

Sources said the PPP is up for making its own government with the help of the PML-Q and its dissidents by toppling the PML-N led government.

They further said the PPP had also launched efforts to secure support from within PML-N ranks.

The Nation quoted sources as saying that the PPP top leadership has approved a plan that envisages punishing the PML-N by uprooting its government by March 2009.

Sources insisted the plans aimed at installing a new coalition government in the province with the help of the PPP and the PML-Q.

They said that concerted efforts are underway to deny the PML-N support of PML-Q dissidents who had left their party and announced their unconditional support to the PML-N.

The PML-Q, which is playing its cards very carefully, is believed to have cut a power deal with the PPP high command in a recent meeting in Islamabad that focused on pushing the PPP move to change the PML-N led government in the province.

Sources further said that the PML-Q leaders, including Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and his son Moonis Elahi, have been promised an important role as a result of the deal with the PPP.

The PPP in Punjab had last week expressed its total confidence in the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari. The move, some political observers believe, was aimed at expressing no confidence in the PML-N leadership.

However, in view of the PPP's sponsored moves, Punjab Chief Minister and PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif also made counter moves to protect his government.

He has approved development funds amounting to billion of rupees for sitting MPs in a bid to offset the PPP pressure.

Sources following these developments are of the view that the PML-N is being punished by the PPP after its leaders had hardened their stance on national issues, including restoration of deposed judges and repeal of the 17th Amendment. (ANI)