Pak opposition leader hints at ‘in-house change’ to topple PPP government

ISLAMABAD - Opposition leader in the Pakistan National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, has now said that an “in-house change” could be the third option to get rid of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government.

Khan’s comment comes after Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ruled out the possibility of mid-term elections and the imposition of martial law.

“The prime minister in his speech has talked about two (possible) ways of the government’s ouster and did not mention the third option of an in-house change that is available in the Constitution,” the Dawn quoted Khan, as saying.

Khan said that the Prime Minister had deliberately avoided mentioning the third option.

“Gilani cannot remain prime minister even if one ally quits,” Khan said.

The opposition leader had earlier called for a mid-term election, citing the dismal performance of the ruling government.

“Mid-term election is an option. Whenever there is talk about this, hue and cry is started in power corridors. Voices are coming from streets that we be saved from the present rulers and I hear these voices,” Khan said.

It is pertinent to mention that Khan’s comment comes ahead of a meeting proposed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif.

Sharif is scheduled to meet senior party leaders and members of the Central Organising Committee in Islamabad on November 5. (ANI)