Punjab governor turns guns on PML-N, again

Khan says govt blocks roads as soon as PTI announces protest

LAHORE:

The PPP seems to want the best of both worlds.

While it props up the PML-N led government in the center without becoming a part of it, the party, which rules over Sindh and Balochistan provinces, is continually posing to be an opposition party, highlighting the PML-N's shortcomings at the federal level and in Punjab, the country's political power hub.

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, who belongs to the PPP, has been very vocal recently in his criticism of the PML-N particularly in the wake of the PTI's protest march in Islamabad.

Khan on November 28 criticized both the PML-N and the PTI, the latter for staging violent street protests and the former for its alleged failure in handling these protests in a proper manner.

The PML-N provincial spokesperson had immediately responded to the governor's statement and advised him to stay within his constitutional limits as the ceremonial head of the province.

Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, however, remained unfazed by this rather angry response as he on Saturday once again lambasted both the parties for the same reasons.

Addressing a rally on Saturday to commemorate the PPP's 57th foundation day, Khan said the government starts closing roads and highways by placing shipping containers as soon as the PTI announces a protest.

Governor Khan, however, noted that the PML-N led government should try to resolve all political matters through dialogue. He claimed that no PTI leader in Punjab takes the risk of coming out whenever the party gives a protest call.

"Allow me to rule over the province and I will show how protests are managed," he claimed.

The governor also advised the PTI leadership to review its conduct, behavior and uphold its role as a political entity. He emphasized the need for the PTI to reconsider its actions regarding attacks on state institutions and overall conduct towards the country.

Talking to the media during a visit to the wedding ceremony of former state minister Mehr Irshad Ahmed's son in Muradabad, he said: "Political parties should remain political. Engaging in activities that could lead to bans should be avoided."