Post-budget debate: Imran jets off to Islamabad as PTI finalises strategy

Party chief to take oath next week; Shah Mehmood to brief him on budget.

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan flew to Islamabad on Thursday to take oath in the National Assembly next week and participate in the post-budget session as his party finalised its strategy for the debate.

Earlier on Thursday morning, Khan went to Shaukat Khanum Hospital for a medical examination where doctors conducted an X-ray examination of his spine and cleared him to fly, a senior PTI official said.

Khan’s physiotherapist, sister and PTI leader Jahangir Tareen accompanied him to Islamabad. The PTI chief will stay in Islamabad for seven days to participate in the post-budget debate in the NA and deliver his speech in the house, the party official maintained.

The official said Khan will deliver a “historical and concrete speech in the NA during his first appearance after taking oath.”

Meanwhile, PTI’s deputy Parliamentary leader in the NA, Shah Mehmood Qureshi – who met Leader of the Opposition in the NA, Syed Khursheed  Shah of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians – will soon brief Khan on budget-related matters at his residence, party leaders said. PTI’s top leadership has already chalked out a strategy about cut motions in the budget debate, they added.

“We will do cut motions in the budget debate focusing on eight ministries,” said PTI MNA Dr Shireen Mazari. Interestingly, MNAs Arif Alvi, Qureshi and Dr Mazari also discussed budget related matters with leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

“We focused on the budget and are devising a coordinated strategy for the opposition parties,” said Alvi.

The top two managers of PTI’s economic team, Tareen and Asad Umer, are preparing recommendations for the new budget, said Ishaq Khan Khakwani.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2013.