PM to embark on 'mission Punjab' today

Prime Minister Imran Khan is scheduled to hold crucial meetings with senior provincial PTI leadership today (Sunday) to pacify disgruntled PTI allies, and aggrieved Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q), Business Recorder has learnt.

Background interviews revealed two opposing narratives. One, the PML-Q is unhappy at PM's decision to delegate the powers of Chief Minister to Chief Secretary Azam Suleman Khan, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Shoaib Dastgir and other senior officials of the provincial bureaucracy. In addition, sources privy to developments on Punjab's political front believe the formation of the group of 20 dissident lawmakers within PTI is a well-planned move orchestrated by Buzdar with the support of PML-Q to compel the Prime Minister to reverse his decision.

Two, the establishment has been bringing lack of governance in the province to the notice of the Prime Minister but the PM was strongly opposed to removing Buzdar and unwilling to listen to any proposal for his removal however a source on condition of anonymity told Business Recorder that "lately the PM has realised that the powers-that-be have serious reservations at the state of affairs in Punjab, and his meetings in Lahore today would be focused on trying to remove all lacunas in the way of good governance."

There is speculation in the federal capital that Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan is being considered a potential replacement of CM Punjab which would require him to join the PTI, if he is to be PTIs candidate, a move that he has so far been averse to, or get support from the PML-N and PML-Q which would require Nawaz Sharif's approval, which insiders claim is unlikely; additionally negotiations between PML-N and Q are needed which, sources claim, are scheduled to take place in London soon.

However political analysts maintain that neither of these two narratives are likely to bear fruit until and unless the establishment extends its support.

Notwithstanding these two narratives there is general discontent at the state of affairs in Punjab, an MPA on condition of anonymity stated adding that "MPAs in Punjab are angry as senior bureaucrats don't even bother to return their calls, even calls by ministers. We have to contest elections not these bureaucrats."

"If Buzdar is shown the door who can possibly replace him is a question that the PM probably has no ready answer to given that the PTI is split into many groups in Punjab and any new comer would bring in a host of those opposed to his candidacy," he added.