Will ‘not budge an inch’ from minus Buzdar demand

Senior Tareen group leader says further talks with govt possible only after Punjab CM changed

LAHORE:

Aun Chaudhry, a senior leader of the Jahangir Khan Tareen group, has said that they won’t budge an inch from their demand to change Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, rejecting once again the government's request to withdraw their minus Buzdar demand.

The statement comes as the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is striving hard to retain its members in the National Assembly in the wake of the no-confidence motion filed against Prime Minister Imran Khan by the opposition parties.

Recently, the PTI leaders and workers had stormed the Sindh House in Islamabad over reports that the party’s rebel MNAs were staying there and had joined hands with the opposition parties.

The support of Tareen group is seen as essential at this critical juncture.

Aun said they were in touch with the opposition parties and the government officials and holding consultations on a daily basis.

He made it clear to the government officials every time that further talks were possible only after the Punjab chief minister was changed, saying that they will not back down an inch from their demand to change Usman Buzdar.

On the other hand, sources close to the Tareen group said that the government was trying in vain to gain more time by creating confusion.

“An attempt is being made to give a special impression by broadcasting old photos and news of the arrival of some members in the Chief Minister's Secretariat again and again.”

In a statement, senior Tareen group members Faisal Jabwana, Khurram Leghari, Aslam Bharwana and Rafaqat Gilani have unconditionally and wholeheartedly accepted the leadership of Jahangir Tareen. Jahangir Tareen is likely to return home next week.

Amid pressure on PM Imran to replace Buzdar as Punjab CM ahead of the no-trust vote, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid called on Buzdar.

During the meeting, both government officials discussed the political situation in the wake of the no-trust move. They criticised the opposition leaders for trying to “create anarchy” in Pakistan. They said the opposition will wake up to a “big surprise” on the day of the no-trust vote.