LAHORE: The PML-Q forward bloc in the Punjab Assembly, which is considered the linchpin of the Shahbaz Sharif government, is divided over whether to continue supporting PML-N or join Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf.

The public show of Imran Khan in Lahore on October 30 not only affected the national political horizon but also made many independent pressure groups to redesign their future course. The PML-Q forward bloc, which claims to have the support of 50 members in the Punjab Assembly, is still considered a strong pillar behind the ‘minority government’ of Shahbaz Sharif.

They have changed their political alignments with PML-Q and shifted their loyalties to the PML-N, thinking that future belonged to it. For the last four years, they remained steadfast with the PML-N, braving all legal hurdles and political upheavals, including the Governorís Rule in Punjab.

Dr Tahir Ali Javed, who is the group head, repeatedly said that that they had shifted their loyalties towards PML-N not because of any portfolios or other attractions but because of its principled stance on certain issues.

Insiders claimed that the PML-N leadership, admitting their services had promised them to award them party ticketin the coming polls. Though PML-N had promised them the party tickets, many within PML-Q forward bloc members believed that the political dynamics in their rural constituencies was quite different from what it was in the urban areas. These are more of cast and clan oriented, with political parties having almost insignificant influences or role to play. Throughout these past four year, most of the PML-Q members, despite supporting PML-N, were found complaining against the Punjab government for not properly accommodating their rightful demands, unlike their own MPAs. Even their political opponents from the PML-N in the constituencies were being given preferences on many counts. Many of the members complained that the forward bloc had become almost insignificant as they had not held any meeting for the last one year. He claimed that the members who were quite close to the CM were being accommodated while the rest of the majority was being ignored.

Nevertheless, October 30 public gathering and later the decision of Shah Mahmood Qureshi to join the PTI changed the mindset of many within PML-Q forward bloc ñ a majority of whom belong to the South Punjab. They are giving the earlier decision a second thought.

The insiders informed this correspondent that the forward bloc members in Punjab were of firm belief that their group had almost lost its significance and a majority of the members were keenly weighing their options in the changing political scenario.

Some members, on the promise of not naming them, claimed that they had started supporting Shahbaz Sharif government in Punjab at a time when they had to choose between PML-N and PPP. They stated they had now third option available in the shape of the PTI led by Imran Khan, and that they were seriously considering it.

Another member of the block claimed that the political situation in Punjab had changed and Imran Khan was growing his influence day by day. He stated that many of the heavyweights in his district had joined the PTI and he was also being contacted in this regard. He claimed that he was gauging the political situation and considering the PTI option as well. Another member claimed that many bigwigs in his district had either joined Imran Khan nor were they in contact with him. He stated the recent defeat of the PML-N candidate in Bahawalpur had proved last nail in the coffin as it had disillusioned many who were earlier aspiring for the party ticket.

A member from South Punjab strongly criticized the PML-N policy towards growing demand of separate province and the recent statement of Nawaz Sharif regarding making Bahawalpur division a separate state, claiming that the PTI was growing fast in this area. He stated the Nawabs of Bahawalpur, Jehangir Khan Tareen, Rafiq Haider Leghari and others had almost joined the PTI while many others were in contact with it. He stated that he himself was weighing the option and would decide his future political course within a short span of time.

When contacted, the group head Dr Tahir Ali Javed admitted that the group had not scheduled any meeting for the last one year. Nevertheless, he expressed his ignorance that most of the forward bloc members were in contact with the PTI. He claimed that the members with whom he was in contact had not shown any strong reservations against PML-N. However, he said there might be members who had different political dynamics in their constituencies and were weighing option of the PTI.

He was of the view that he did not like changing political affiliations so rapidly, so he was in no mood to join another party. He claimed that it was up to the members as to what kind of political decision they would take as he could not dictate anyone in this regard.

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