PML-N MNA turns down post of PM’s aide

A power struggle has kicked off among the parties in the ruling coalition as PML-N MNA Chaudhry Abid Raza has turned down the post of the premier's special assistant and informed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about his reservations.

A day earlier, Raza was appointed as the PM's aide and a notification was also issued in this connection.

However, Raza has excused himself from taking over the slot and requested the withdrawal of the notification.

He met with PM Shehbaz in this connection and informed him about his reservations about the politics in   Gujrat district, where his constituency was located.

Raza complained that despite being an MNA in Gujrat, he had no authority there.
He added that all the powers in Gujrat rested with the PML-Q, the party headed by the government’s coalition partner Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

The administration in Gujrat followed the orders of Shujaat’s sons, Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Shafay Hussain.

He added that the PML-Q was creating problems for itself by resorting to such actions.

Raza told PM Shehbaz that instead of becoming a special assistant, it was better that he continued serving the residents of his constituency in his capacity as a party activist.

He said the position would not serve any purpose as all the authority in Gujrat district was being enjoyed by Salik Hussain.

He added that it was better that the the PML-Q and PML-N worked together to bring an end to former Punjab chief minister Parvez Elahi’s politics in Gujrat district.

“Together, Salik Hussain and I can end Parvez Elahi’s influence in Gujrat district,” he claimed.

Raza hoped that the prime minister would raise this issue with Shujaat.

The PML-N MNA was elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of the PML-N from the constituency of NA-107 (Gujrat-IV) in 2013.

He received 94,196 votes and defeated Chaudhry Muhammad Ilyas, a candidate of the PTI.

He was re-elected to the NA as a candidate of the PML-N from the constituency of NA-71 (Gujrat-IV) in the 2018 Pakistani general elections.

He received 88,588 votes and again defeated Muhammad Ilyas Chaudhry, a PTI candidate, who bagged 81,538.

He was born on September 2, 1972 in Kotla Arab Ali Khan, Kharian of Gujrat district.

His father was elected the chairman of the Kotla Union Council in the 60s, his family being well known in local politics.