Normalcy returns to CM-governor relationship ahead of Senate polls

Buzdar says role of governor, chief minister and speaker is specified in the Constitution

LAHORE: Ahead of upcoming Senate Elections, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership is doing deliberate efforts to show unity among party ranks and its allies. Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar met jointly with provincial assembly members from South Punjab at Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Wednesday.

Both the leaders tried to give the impression that there was no friction among Punjab chief minister, Punjab governor and Punjab Assembly speaker, though, a viral video of a meeting between the PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-i-Azam (PML-Q) leaders showed otherwise, last week.

PTI’s candidates for the Senate of Pakistan Waleed Iqbal and Seemi Ezdi were also present on the occasion. The MPAs reiterated their commitment to the success of the PTI candidates in Senate election with verve. Addressing the meeting, Buzdar said working relationship enjoyed by both governor and chief minister these days was never seen earlier. “Governor Sarwar is like my elder brother,” he added.

“The role of a governor, chief minister and the speaker is specified in the Constitution of Pakistan and we are fully united like a family,” he underlined and added: “We will achieve the goal of a new Pakistan envisioned by the Prime Minister Imran Khan by working as a team.”

He said both Waleed Iqbal and Seemi Ezdi were lifelong lieutenants of the party. “Both the candidates will achieve success in the Senate election by getting more votes than expected. I fully understand the problems faced by southern Punjab and your genuine problems will be solved by the government,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Sarwar said this election was important for the party and the MPAs would work by considering it as their own election. He said that there was not a minute difference between himself and the chief minister. “We are on the same page and are working as a team of Imran Khan. He said Buzdar was the chief minister of the province. “We already have worked jointly and will continue to perform together in future as well.” He said Chief Minister Buzdar was taking his MNAs and MPAs along and he was also working hard.

Expressing their opinion, different MPAs said the vote was a trust of the party. Chairman Executive Council set up with regard to the establishment of southern Punjab province Tahir Bashir Cheema, MPAs from southern Punjab, members of the assembly and independent MPAs namely Ahmed Ali Aulakh and Qasim Abbas Langah were also present on the occasion.

Interestingly, in a bid to showcase cordial ties between the chief minister and governor, families of both leaders have also been in action. A meeting between wives of the chief minister and the governor was held at the Governor House the other day. Mother of Punjab chief minister was also present in this meeting. All the ladies discussed matters of mutual interest and shared some quality time.

A video clip that surfaced over social media on Saturday showed that a meeting was underway between Jehangir Khan Tareen Tareen, Punjab Minister for Mines and Minerals Hafiz Ammar Yasir, the PML-Q leaders Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Federal Minister for Housing Tariq Bashir Cheema.

It showed that the PML-Q leadership has expressed its concern over Sarwar’s role in Punjab government and asked Tareen to “control Sarwar”. Cheema complained Tareen, “Sir, control Sarwar, he will not let your chief minister stay.”

Elahi also supported Cheema’s stance and endorse his viewpoint.

Following the viral video, Elahi tried to clarify his position by stating that Sarwar was “an old friend”. He has very good relations with Punjab governor. “Both, Sarwar and Buzdar, have been nominated by the PTI Chairman and Prime Minister Imran Khan, we have very cordial relations with them. There are complain and reservations in parties and allies which are also duly sorted out and removed. We are fully supporting with good intention Imran Khan and Buzdar and will continue to do so in future as well.”