Nawaz asserts authority as PML-N president

Ex-premier tells PM Shehbaz to call budget meeting today

LAHORE:

PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has become active as soon as he assumed the post of the party president, instructing his younger brother, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to call a consultative meeting in connection with the federal budget for the next financial year to give his input.

Party insiders said the meeting, jointly presided over by the Sharif brothers, would be held at their residence in Jati Umra area of Raiwind near Lahore on Thursday (today).

They added that the huddle would be attended by federal ministers and senior leaders of the party.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the party president’s daughter, and Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, who also holds the portfolio of the foreign ministry, are likely to attend the meeting too.

The PML-N insiders said during the meeting, suggestions would be taken from the participants for measures to provide maximum relief to the inflation-hit people at the federal and provincial levels.

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They continued that the federal ministers participating in the meeting had been instructed to bring suggestions from their respective departments for steps to provide possible relief to the people.

The party leaders attending the huddle have been told to prepare their own proposals for possible relief through public consultation.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik and Energy Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari are expected to participate in the meeting.

Besides, other federal ministers who are likely to attend the meeting include Rana Tanveer, Jam Kamal, and Ahad Cheema.

The party insiders said Nawaz would also issue instructions during the meeting based on his extensive political and administrative experience.

They added that he was likely to instruct his daughter to seek suggestions from her provincial government for measures to provide maximum relief to the people of Punjab.