–Premier to review governance in Punjab, ‘patch things up with allied PML-Q’
LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to reach Lahore on a day-long visit on Sunday.
The premier will spend a busy day in the provincial capital – holding some important meetings with Punjab government officials.
According to reports, PM Imran will preside over a meeting of the provincial cabinet to review governance in the province, during which he will be briefed upon development projects and the progress report on the Sahiwal tragedy.
He will also hold separate meetings with Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.
In a meeting with leaders of allied parties, the premier will take them into confidence to address their reservations.
It is noteworthy that PM Imran’s visit comes amid speculations that the ruling coalition in Punjab is going through a rough patch. The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) had last week decided to take up a host of issues with the premier after CM Buzdar had failed to placate the Chaudhrys of Gujrat.
The PML-Q leaders have been complaining about the provincial chief executive’s “callous attitude” towards the issues raised by the party.
In his resignation note, PML-Q minister Hafiz Ammar Yasir had pointed out “unwarranted interference, undue pressure and hurdles” in his ministry of mines and minerals since he assumed the portfolio over four months ago. “Owing to undue pressure and hurdles, I can no longer perform my duty, therefore, I resign,” the minister had stated.
Cracks within the ruling coalition started appearing after Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry’s remarks about creating a forward bloc in the PML-Q that prompted a strong reaction from the party compelling him to apologise.
Both in Punjab and at the Centre, the PML-Q is an important ally with 10 MPAs and five MNAs, respectively. As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is ruling, particularly in Punjab, with a thin majority, it may not afford to lose PML-Q support.
