Imran foresees general elections in '6-8 weeks'

LAHORE:

Pakistan Tahreek-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan asked his party’s lawmakers on Sunday to start preparations for the general elections, predicting that the polls could be called in the country anytime between six and eight weeks.

Imran met with Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, former federal minister Moonis Elahi and other lawmakers from Punjab in Lahore. He asked the Punjab government to expedite the implementation of the PTI’s flagship social welfare project, the Ehsaas Programme.

Imran met with Chief Minister Elahi and his son, Moonis Elahi, at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, PTI sources said. During the meeting the PTI Chairman also asked the Punjab government to strengthen relief activities in the flood-hit areas.

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During the meeting, the prevailing political situation in the country, particularly in Punjab, came under discussion. Imran stressed the need for gearing up the party for the coming general election, which he said could be called in six to eight weeks.

Both the leaders also deliberated on the names for induction in the provincial cabinet and the strategy to run the provincial government as the general elections were expected anytime soon, the sources added.

The sources also revealed that Imran instructed the party’s Central Punjab President and former provincial minister Dr Yasmin Rashid to complete the party’s provincial organisational structure in two weeks and get ready for early elections in the country.

According to the sources, Imran directed the chief minister to make his utmost endeavours to provide maximum relief to the people. He also instructed Elahi to provide every possible assistance to the people in flood-stricken areas.

Elahi apprised Imran of steps to provide assistance to the flood victims. He highlighted that the administration and departments concerned were proactive to provide timely assistance to the victims.

During the meeting they discussed the current political situation in the province, administrative affairs of the provincial government, law and order situation and other matters of mutual interest.

Khan congratulated Elahi on “the eradication of an unconstitutional and unlawful government” in Punjab. Elahi lauded the political prudence of Imran Khan for standing firmly and resolutely on his legitimate point of view against the political turncoats.

Elahi said that effective steps were being taken for maintaining the law and order in the province during Muharramul Haram and hoped the environment of political homogeneity would remain during the holy month.

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Meanwhile, Imran also met with Dr Sania Nishtar and former Punjab minister Hashim Jawan Bakht. During the meeting, the PTI chief directed them to expeditiously move forward Ehsaas Programme in Punjab. He assigned responsibility to Dr Nishtar to ensure swift implementation of the Ehsaas Programme across the province.

He criticised the previous Punjab government for halting the PTI government’s “splendid programmes”, which were meant to help the poor families. On the occasion, Dr Nishtar presented a briefing to Imran about implementing the Ehsaas Programme.

Earlier, Chief Minister Elahi announced financial aid for the flood victims of Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh and Mianwali. He said that the government would pay Rs800,000 each to the heirs of the deceased persons in floods.

The chief minister announced that financial assistance would also be provided to the affected persons after assessing the damages suffered by houses, fields and the livestock.

Elahi lauded the Rescue 1122, who were first to reach the flood-ravaged areas. He ordered early construction and repair of roads in the affected areas and directed for starting the restoration work on a war footing.

Elahi directed for setting up medical camps in the flood zone, adding that vaccines should also be administered to the flood victims for the prevention of infectious diseases. He also directed for availability of medicines for snake-bite and cholera.

The chief minister directed the commissioners, deputy commissioners, regional and district police officers to team up with the elected representatives and leave no stone unturned to redress the grievances of the people ravaged by floods.

He directed the local administrations to monitor all relief activities. He stated that he would himself visit the flood-affected areas soon and vowed not to leave the affected brothers and sisters alone in the hour of distress.

The chief minister presided over a meeting, in which relief activities in the flood-affected areas of Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh and Mianwali came under review.

Former provincial minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid, assembly members Sardar Muhammad Khan Leghari, Saifuddin Khosa, Javed Akhtar Lund, Mohiyuddin Khosa, Amir Nawaz Chandia, Sanaullah Khan Mastikhel, and relevant officials also attended the meeting.