Elahi wants PM to make ‘difficult’ decisions

CM Buzdar calls on PML-Q leader at his residence

LAHORE:

Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Thursday said Prime Minister Imran Khan had to make difficult decisions to make public lives better, indicating that the PML-Q, a coalition partner of the ruling PTI, is worried about the government’s policies.

“The elimination of price hike and unemployment has become inevitable. Improvement of economy is essential for progress of the country and nation,” the PML-Q leader told Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, who called on the former at his residence.

The PML-Q leader’s son Federal Water Resources Minister Moonis Elahi, MNA Hussain Elahi, Punjab Assembly Secretary Mohammad Khan Bhatti and Principal Secretary to CM Amir Jan were also present on the occasion.

Elahi and Buzdar discussed the current national political situation and matters of mutual interest.

Both sides agreed to carry forward their alliance in an appreciable manner.

The PML-Q leader underscored that circumstances of the people would only be improved provided that immediate measures were taken.

“We are an ally of the PTI. Being the government’s ally, we have been fully supporting it in every matter and will also do so in the future,” he maintained.

Elahi said the opposition’s role to criticise the government’s policies, but in the prevailing circumstances, there was no room for politics of chaos.

“For the elimination of the problems faced by of the people, all political parties will have to move forward with a ‘positive mindset’.”

He said the current circumstances demanded that the life the common man be improved.

“We want maximum facilities to be delivered to the people.

Buzdar said the PML-Q was his party’s ally.

“The PTI’s relations with its allies are much stronger than before. We have the best working relationship with the PML-Q.”

The Punjab CM maintained that the PML-Q had been involved in the process of decision making and the agenda for serving the people would be carried forward together.

He claimed that certain elements which were trying to create chaos, were working on the enemy’s agenda.

“The victim of depression [opposition] cannot mislead the people.”

The development has come amid speculations rife about the relationship between the two allies, especially with the PML-Q tiling towards the PPP in recent times.

In September, PML-Q leader Moonis met PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at the latter’s residence in Karachi -- a meeting that is indicative of the two parties’ alliance in the future.

According to a statement issued by the PPP, the two leaders discussed the country’s overall political situation as well as the issue of water shortage in Sindh.

This was the third meeting between the top leadership of PPP, an opposition party, and the PML-Q, a coalition partner of the ruling PTI in the Centre and in Punjab in the past six months.