ISLAMABAD: With the political impasse entering first week, Minister for Defence Pervez Khattak, who is considered to be the 'troubleshooter' for ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has once again geared up the efforts to woo Aktar Megal-led ex-ally.
The chief of Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), Akthar Megal, who parted ways with the government last week, on Saturday held talks with a PTI delegation led by Khattak.
During a telephonic conversation with Khattak prior meeting, Mengal said "as per Baloch traditions, his doors are always open for the PTI".
The sources privy to the meeting told Business Recorder that Khattak invited Mengal to withdraw his decision to quit the coalition, but he remained adamant, saying "it's too late to be part of PTI again, as he gave the government enough time to honour commitments made with him with regard to Balochistan".
Khattak made last ditch effort to persuade Mengal, but other leaders of his party also seconded their leaders, it would be a big embarrassment for the party to rejoin the coalitions after parting ways.
Prior meeting, in a meeting of PTI's core committee chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is also chairman of the party, Khan tasked Khattak to woo the ex-allied party as any crack in the alliance would strengthen the opposition parties. The delegation assured Mengal that the six-point accord signed with BNP-M would be implemented.
The BNP leadership was told to withdraw their decision in the best interest of province for which they have been pressing implementations on the demands. Mengal said at present there is no possibility to withdraw the decision of quitting the coalition, but any decision in this regard would be taken in consultation with party leadership.
The sources said that the senior party leaders briefed the prime minister that any negligence with regard to coalition partners would be damaging for the party, and the opposition would cash in on the situation.
However, the prime minister was not convinced with the briefing from top government ministers, saying he would not tolerate anything - whether from the coalition partners or anybody from his own party members - where there is a 'tinge of blackmailing'.
PM Khan also directed the lawmakers to engage in an awareness campaign for implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent spread of coronavirus pandemic in the country.
He directed the parliamentarians to encourage the people for adopting preventive measures, adding it was important to raise the sense of individual and collective responsibility in people to eradicate the deadly disease.
The committee endorsed the steps taken by federal government to cope with the coronavirus in the country.