PTI negotiators asked to placate allies ASAP
PM stresses need for appointing Sindh IGP who can’t be manipulated for political motives
PHOTO : RADIO PAKISTAN
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday directed the negotiating committees he has formed to mollify the “disillusioned” partners of the governing coalition to step up their efforts and achieve results as soon as possible in the wake of the allies – particularly the PML-Q – becoming increasingly weary of the government’s failure to assuage their grievances.
The PML-Q, meanwhile, piled up more pressure on the ruling PTI, warning the premier that he faced a threat from his own party men rather than his allies. A day earlier the party publicly voiced its frustration over the government changing negotiators instead of resolving the allies’ issues.
Presiding over a meeting of PTI leaders and government spokespersons at his residence in Bani Gala, Premier Imran noted that the PML-Q was a key ally and that he has included Punjab’s governor and chief minister in the committee, so that its leaders could directly convey their reservations and suggestions to them.
On the issue of the Sindh police chief that has become a bone of contention between the Centre and the provincial government, the prime minister stressed the need for appointing an IGP who could not be manipulated for political motives. He noted that the federal government has received complaints of people being implicated in fabricated cases and political interference in the police affairs in Sindh.
Recently, the federal cabinet turned down the names proposed by the Sindh government to replace IGP Dr Kaleem Imam despite the premier and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah reportedly agreeing on appointing Mushtaq Mahar as the new police chief.
At the Bani Gala meeting, the PM’s aide on accountability Shahzad Akbar presented the medical report of ailing former premier Nawaz Sharif who is receiving treatment in London. The two-page report, sent by Nawaz’s personal physician Dr Adnan Khan, would be forwarded to the Punjab government for assessment, according to Akbar.
Premier Imran also reviewed the measures taken to curb increasing prices of essential commodities. It was decided that there would be a briefing on the performance of price control committees next week.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, PM’s aide on information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the premier is personally monitoring investigation into the flour price hike and the report would be shared with the public. “The focus [during the meeting] was on providing relief to the people and important decisions were made,” she added.
“The prime minister was briefed about the action taken against profiteers and hoarders.”
The PM’s aide said Customs officials have taken action against seven people in Quetta, including two collectors, for their involvement in wheat smuggling and the FIA and the FBR are investigating the matter.
Firdous further said that the prime minister also reviewed the measures being taken to observe Kashmir Day on February 5. “The prime minister has ordered the party to start campaigning on tehsil and town levels to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.”
She added that the government would organise activities from Feb 1 to 5 to mark Kashmir Day.
Separately, PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain told reporters in Lahore that that the premier faces a threat from people within his party instead of the allies. “Our party may be small but we have remained in power with a two-thirds majority in the past and have plenty of experience,” he said. “Besides being allies, we are also friends and know how to support our coalition partner through thick and thin.”
Shujaat said the statements of Pervaiz Elahi and Moonis Elahi reflected the true picture and should not be taken as a threat. “The PML-Q considers the PTI its friend. The PTI too should not consider our party its enemy.”
A day earlier, Pervaiz Elahi expressed his growing restlessness over the government frequently changing committees to negotiate with his party and told the PTI to treat its allies properly.
Elahi’s son, Moonis Elahi, took to Twitter to express his reservations.
“We were making excellent progress with earlier committee comprising of Jahangir Tareen, Pervez Khattak and Shahzad Arbab.
Why is PTI out to sabotage itself?” he wrote, advising the PTI to be consistent with its policies.
(With additional reporting by our correspondent in Lahore)
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday directed the negotiating committees he has formed to mollify the “disillusioned” partners of the governing coalition to step up their efforts and achieve results as soon as possible in the wake of the allies – particularly the PML-Q – becoming increasingly weary of the government’s failure to assuage their grievances.
The PML-Q, meanwhile, piled up more pressure on the ruling PTI, warning the premier that he faced a threat from his own party men rather than his allies. A day earlier the party publicly voiced its frustration over the government changing negotiators instead of resolving the allies’ issues.
Presiding over a meeting of PTI leaders and government spokespersons at his residence in Bani Gala, Premier Imran noted that the PML-Q was a key ally and that he has included Punjab’s governor and chief minister in the committee, so that its leaders could directly convey their reservations and suggestions to them.
On the issue of the Sindh police chief that has become a bone of contention between the Centre and the provincial government, the prime minister stressed the need for appointing an IGP who could not be manipulated for political motives. He noted that the federal government has received complaints of people being implicated in fabricated cases and political interference in the police affairs in Sindh.
Recently, the federal cabinet turned down the names proposed by the Sindh government to replace IGP Dr Kaleem Imam despite the premier and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah reportedly agreeing on appointing Mushtaq Mahar as the new police chief.
At the Bani Gala meeting, the PM’s aide on accountability Shahzad Akbar presented the medical report of ailing former premier Nawaz Sharif who is receiving treatment in London. The two-page report, sent by Nawaz’s personal physician Dr Adnan Khan, would be forwarded to the Punjab government for assessment, according to Akbar.
Premier Imran also reviewed the measures taken to curb increasing prices of essential commodities. It was decided that there would be a briefing on the performance of price control committees next week.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, PM’s aide on information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the premier is personally monitoring investigation into the flour price hike and the report would be shared with the public. “The focus [during the meeting] was on providing relief to the people and important decisions were made,” she added.
“The prime minister was briefed about the action taken against profiteers and hoarders.”
The PM’s aide said Customs officials have taken action against seven people in Quetta, including two collectors, for their involvement in wheat smuggling and the FIA and the FBR are investigating the matter.
Firdous further said that the prime minister also reviewed the measures being taken to observe Kashmir Day on February 5. “The prime minister has ordered the party to start campaigning on tehsil and town levels to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.”
She added that the government would organise activities from Feb 1 to 5 to mark Kashmir Day.
Separately, PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain told reporters in Lahore that that the premier faces a threat from people within his party instead of the allies. “Our party may be small but we have remained in power with a two-thirds majority in the past and have plenty of experience,” he said. “Besides being allies, we are also friends and know how to support our coalition partner through thick and thin.”
Shujaat said the statements of Pervaiz Elahi and Moonis Elahi reflected the true picture and should not be taken as a threat. “The PML-Q considers the PTI its friend. The PTI too should not consider our party its enemy.”
A day earlier, Pervaiz Elahi expressed his growing restlessness over the government frequently changing committees to negotiate with his party and told the PTI to treat its allies properly.
Elahi’s son, Moonis Elahi, took to Twitter to express his reservations.
“We were making excellent progress with earlier committee comprising of Jahangir Tareen, Pervez Khattak and Shahzad Arbab.
Why is PTI out to sabotage itself?” he wrote, advising the PTI to be consistent with its policies.
(With additional reporting by our correspondent in Lahore)