PML-Q 'suspends' CM Elahi's basic membership for PTI merger talks

• PML-Q serves show-cause notice to Elahi.
• Party seeks clarification from Punjab CM.
• Elahi earlier showed intent to merge with PTI.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Monday suspended the basic party membership of Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi for talking about the possibility of his party's possible merger with the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

A show-cause notice served to Elahi mentioned that PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat called an urgent meeting of the senior leaders, where it was noted that the provincial president — Elahi — did not have the authority to merge the party with PTI.

"Your [Elahi] party membership is suspended until the explanation," the notice, a copy of which has also been sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), read.

The statement went on to say that PML-Q, as a political party, maintains its individual identity, vote bank, party discipline, and rules and regulations which Elahi violated through his statements.

"In relation to that, you [Elahi] are served a notice of seven days demanding an explanation within those days — either as an individual or by the lawyer — for such an unlawful and unconstitutional act."

"Otherwise, action would be taken against you under the party constitution's article 16 and article 50," the notice added.

The decision to issue a show-cause notice to Elahi was taken during a high-level party meeting with Secretary-General Tariq Bashir Cheema, Senior Vice president Chaudhry Salik Hussain, and senior leader Chaudhry Shafay Hussain in attendance.

It should be noted that Moonis Elahi — a PML-Q leader and Punjab CM's son — had also shown inclination towards the idea of a possible merger in the PTI, but not the party has not made a statement about that.

Two days back, the Punjab Assembly was dissolved as per PTI Chairman Imran Khan's wishes, and the summary to disband Khyber Pakhtunkwa's legislature will also be sent on Tuesday.

As the elections are expected to take place within 90 days after the assembly's dissolution, reports surfaced of PTI's possible merger with the PML-Q — and Elahi endorsed them.

"There have been talks about PML-Q's merger with PTI. I think, and I have also been told, that it will be a positive move for both the parties," the chief minister told reporters on Sunday.

The Punjab CM added that not only does he think that the move would bear fruit, but Moonis also believes that it would be a step in the right direction.