LAHORE/KARACHI: In the wake of a humiliating defeat at the Punjab bypoll elections, the coalition government has been left to wonder whether it would be wise for it to continue to rule the country or not.
According to media reports, the main parties that constitute the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and Jamiat-i-Ulema Islami-Fazl (JUI-F) have decided against holding the early elections.
However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called a meeting between the stalwarts of all allies and PDM members to discuss the possibility of holding early elections. A section of media is reporting that the government has decided to hold the elections only after completing its term, but is open to negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan.
Another section of the PML-N wants Khan to dissolve the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab Assemblies followed by the announcement of early elections by the sitting government.
PTI completed a stunning victory over the PML-N on Sunday when it, against all odds, overcame the strongest party of the province and clinched 15 seats of the total 20 contested.