An amicable dinner: JI, PTI bury the hatchet for ‘change’
Munawar Hassan says centre should present solution to terrorism.
The JI chief said the province’s main issues are terrorism and corruption.
PESHAWAR:
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were all praises for each other on Wednesday night when Chief Minister Pervez Khattak invited JI chief Syed Munawar Hassan for dinner.
Things have been tense between the coalition partners since the government was formed. The first issue of contention was the allocation of the education portfolio, while there has also been much difference of opinion over the local government system.
The JI chief has also publically expressed his dissatisfaction over the performance of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government and advised PTI chief Imran Khan not to issue statements which might worsen the situation in the province.
But things were different during Wednesday’s dinner when Hassan appreciated the CM’s initiatives and said he welcomed the suggestion to jointly contest elections with the PTI. He, however, did not specify whether he was speaking about the local bodies elections or future general elections.
Contrary to his earlier barrage of criticism, Hassan said “The PTI’s vision is worth following and JI is part of that vision.”
For better governance there is a need to eradicate all kinds of corruption be it big or small, Hassan maintained, saying people are still waiting to see the elimination of corruption from government services. “The responsibility shouldered by the chief minister (to eradicate corruption) will have our full support.”
The JI chief said the province’s main issues are terrorism and corruption, both of which are connected to the federal government. The centre should come forward and present solutions to problems faced by K-P, he said.
CM Khattak said his party is thankful to the JI for its cooperation. “If the cooperation, understanding and unity between PTI, JI and other coalition partners continue, people in the province will surely see some tangible change.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2013.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were all praises for each other on Wednesday night when Chief Minister Pervez Khattak invited JI chief Syed Munawar Hassan for dinner.
Things have been tense between the coalition partners since the government was formed. The first issue of contention was the allocation of the education portfolio, while there has also been much difference of opinion over the local government system.
The JI chief has also publically expressed his dissatisfaction over the performance of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government and advised PTI chief Imran Khan not to issue statements which might worsen the situation in the province.
But things were different during Wednesday’s dinner when Hassan appreciated the CM’s initiatives and said he welcomed the suggestion to jointly contest elections with the PTI. He, however, did not specify whether he was speaking about the local bodies elections or future general elections.
Contrary to his earlier barrage of criticism, Hassan said “The PTI’s vision is worth following and JI is part of that vision.”
For better governance there is a need to eradicate all kinds of corruption be it big or small, Hassan maintained, saying people are still waiting to see the elimination of corruption from government services. “The responsibility shouldered by the chief minister (to eradicate corruption) will have our full support.”
The JI chief said the province’s main issues are terrorism and corruption, both of which are connected to the federal government. The centre should come forward and present solutions to problems faced by K-P, he said.
CM Khattak said his party is thankful to the JI for its cooperation. “If the cooperation, understanding and unity between PTI, JI and other coalition partners continue, people in the province will surely see some tangible change.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2013.