Moonis denies rumours of joining PTI

Islamabad: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader and former federal minister Chaudhry Moonis Elahi this week brushed off rumours of joining PTI, saying a letter claiming his PTI’s candidature from NA-80 Mandi Bahauddin in the upcoming general elections was fake.

“Imran Khan is my prime minister and working with Asad Umar is amazing,” Moonis said in a tweet and added that the circular was fake.

The PML-Q leader’s refutation came after a notification purportedly issued by PTI General Secretary Asad Umar, nominating Moonis as a PTI candidate from the constituency, made rounds on social media.

The letter stirred speculations whether the young scion of the renowned Chaudhry household was deserting the party.

Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, former minister Wajahat and their sons Moonis and Hussain, respectively, had preferred to maintain their alliance with the PTI in the wake of Imran Khan’s ouster through a no-confidence vote. Meanwhile, PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat and his sons, MNA Salik Hussain and Shafay Hussain, entered the ruling coalition camp along with two other party MNAs.

The Elahi camp is said to be led by its ‘de facto’ leader Moonis — who was a part of the Imran Khan cabinet. The Shujaat group, headed by Salik and Shafay Hussain, have repeatedly signalled their intent to not budge on their decision to support the PML-N-led ruling coalition.