• Zardari is expected to arrive in Lahore ahead of the voting
• He will meet PML-N leaders to finalize strategy regarding the voting
• PDM is attempting to convince PTI, PML-Q MPAs to abstain from voting

LAHORE: The Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM) opposition alliance is considering different strategies regarding the vote of confidence by Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

Punjab Assembly witnessed a noisy session on Tuesday as PML-N members attempted to enter the building. The session has been summoned on Wednesday (tomorrow) at 3 PM regarding the vote of confidence.

Ahead of the crucial session, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is expected to arrive in Lahore to devise a strategy regarding the vote.

He is expected to meet PML-N leaders in the provincial capital to regain control of the assembly. Sources revealed the PDM may employ any means necessary for political gains.

Zardari will meet federal ministers and finalise a strategy to convince disgruntled PTI lawmakers to abstain from voting. The party has already started backdoor channels to woo PML-Q and PML-N MPAs to abstain or stay away on the day of voting.

In return, the opposition alliance will offer party tickets to candidates for the next elections, sources added. The PDM has been targeting minority and female members of the provincial assembly.

PTI chairman Imran Khan has insisted that CM Elahi will receive a vote of confidence before the assembly is dissolved. He has tasked the senior party leaders to ensure that the provincial chief minister takes a vote of confidence on January 11.

A day early, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi also held a meeting with former Imran Khan and discussed the province’s political situation. They deliberated on the matter related to the vote of confidence and the ongoing session of the Punjab Assembly.

Elahi reiterated his support for Imran Khan and said they will stand together in every decision. He assured that the ruling coalition had enough numbers to beat the no-confidence move.

However, the meeting discussed the probability of horse trading as Imran had also expressed apprehensions over the neutrality of the establishment.

“Imran Khan is our leader and we will stand with him in every decision. Our alliance is stronger than before,” Parvez Elahi during the meeting.

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