Punjab cabinet expansion surprised Imran.
PTI chief claims that the action damaged the party’s narrative.
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE:
As ‘unaware’ Imran Khan expressed disapproval of Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi’s choice to increase the size of the provincial cabinet, the PTI’s intention to dissolve assemblies hung in the balance on Wednesday, potentially casting doubt on his plans to call early elections within months.
Governor of Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman gave Khayal Ahmed Kastro, a provincial minister, the oath of office on Wednesday.
The timing of the cabinet expansion raised questions because Imran and Elahi, who rule Punjab with PTI’s backing, seemed to disagree on the issue. The desire for new elections is growing among PTI members, and Elahi’s apparent lack of urgency to carry out the plan raised fears that he and Imran were at odds over the choice.
PTI official Shah Mahmood Qureshi claimed party chairman Imran was resolved to dissolve the assemblies in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within the next few days, despite the Punjab government’s indications that it would postpone the action yet again.
The Punjab government appointed PTI member Khayal Ahmad Kastro as a cabinet member, shocking “unaware Imran” into saying the choice to select a new province minister delivered a blow to the party’s narrative, according to insiders. This move is likely to further soured the political atmosphere.
The former prime minister additionally said that he was unaware of the extension of the cabinet and expressed his disgust, saying that it shouldn’t have happened.
Imran reportedly told the new provincial minister, “I thought you were being given a department to head,” according to reports.
Kastro took his oath as a provincial minister earlier, in the presence of Chief Minister Parvez Elahi and Punjab Governor Baligh-ur-Rehman.
Imran declares polls to be the only path forward
Speaking to reporters in Lahore at the same time, Qureshi revealed that Imran had advised the party leadership that snap elections were the only viable option going forward and that dissolving the assembly was crucial to this.
He claimed that Imran had been meeting with PTI lawmakers in Punjab in back-to-back sessions and that, after considerable thought, he had come to the conclusion that dissolving assemblies and calling new elections were the only viable options.
The PTI leader stated, “We want the electoral process to be finished and governments to be established before Ramadan.” Imran was certain that there should be no delay in dissolving assemblies, the speaker continued.
He claimed that the nation’s deteriorating economic circumstances necessitated the need for new polls as well.
Pervez Elahi, the chief minister of Punjab, has stated that the provincial parliament will “continue the same style for the next four months until March,” which is crucial to mention here.
“My position is the same… Elahi told a private news channel, “I would disband [the legislature] whenever he (Imran) instructs me to. “That choice has already been made. But now you have to consider its advantages and disadvantages. We will need to have conversations about that.
Alvi strives to mend tense relationships.
In his third recent meeting with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, President Dr. Arif Alvi advanced the notion of talks between the PTI and the government.
The sources claim that during the meeting, the issue of dissolving provincial assemblies, the PTI’s desire for early elections, the opinions of government allies, as well as other matters, were discussed.
It is important to note that Imran Khan, the leader of the PTI, handed the federal government an ultimatum last week, saying that either “we will dissolve the assemblies” or “sit and talk and offer a date for the general elections.”
Imran ought not to have left NA,
Imran Khan shouldn’t have left the National Assembly, Alvi later claimed. He did, however, remark that it made him more well-liked.
In an interview with a private TV channel, he claimed, “If he (Imran) had asked me, I would have proposed not leaving the [national] parliament.”
Elections, he claimed, were the finest way to reach the populace since they were mired in issues and saw them as a sign of optimism. He added that the government should concentrate on reducing inflation and other issues facing the populace. “If the opposition and the government get down and discuss, something beneficial can come out for Pakistan,” he remarked.
Dr. Alvi claimed that Pakistan’s political environment was in a “state of panic” and asserted that discussion would calm things down. After a discussion with the finance minister earlier in the day, he noted that “[Finance Minister] Ishaq Dar also has a favourable attitude towards dialogue.”
Speaking about the meeting, the president, who is a member of Imran Khan’s PTI, claimed that Dar made many ideas regarding imports while also suggesting ways to preserve electricity.
He claimed that the new military leadership took its pledge to be apolitical seriously. “Politicians now bear the full burden of duty. They should really consider collaborating so that issues may be resolved “Added he.
The president made reference to his conversation with Imran Khan prior to the crucial appointment when he indicated that there was no harm in seeking opinion from citizens of the country while army commander consultations might take place in London.
He continued, “It is better to consult with everyone so that problems caused by gridlock can be avoided.”
Dr. Alvi declared that early voting was the best way to address the current problem.
“People ought to have faith that the government upholds their wishes. whoever prevails should be backed by the majority of voters, “added said.
Shujaat offers to act as a middleman
In a related development, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, the leader of the PML-Q, suggested serving as a mediator between the PRI and the coalition government led by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
“By maintaining communication, policymakers can prevent economic harm. I will personally contact with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about this if Imran Khan requests it “He spoke to a private TV network.
He stated that even if the Punjab Assembly were to be dissolved, all assemblies should fulfil their terms. He stated that a constitutional crisis will result from the dissolving of assembly.
The PML-Q leader responded to Asif Ali Zardari’s recent visit by saying that the former president had only come to inquire about his health and nothing else.
“Regarding the Asif Zardari crisis in Punjab, I remained silent. It is probable that in the future we will discuss Elahi.”
