ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rolled up its sleeves to address the concerns of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), the sole coalition partner of Prime Minister Imran Khan's coalition governments both at the Centre and Punjab, in the wake of ongoing anti-government movement of opposition's Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

The sources within the PTI told Business Recorder that PM Khan has directed Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, and Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar to contact the senior PML-Q leadership in order to address their grievances. The directives from the prime minister came after the PML-Q skipped a recent lunch hosted in honour of the coalition partners.

The PML-Q leadership especially Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema openly criticised the government, saying it has been over two years now and the PM has met only twice with the PML-Q leadership. However, the sources within the government are optimistic to allay PML-Q, saying it is not the first that PML-Q expressed its concerns, adding the government would resolve all their genuine concerns soon.

"We're going to hold talks and all their fair and legal demands will be met at a time when the local bodies and Senate elections are drawing closer," said a senior PTI leader. On Monday, President Dr Arif Alvi also telephoned Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and inquired after the health of PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. Dr Alvi prayed for the early recovery of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who has been admitted to a hospital in Lahore for the last two days.

Last week, Prime Minister Imran Khan had also spoken to the son of Shujaat Hussian, and asked about the health of his father. Besides, senior leaders of the PTI including Punjabi chief minister and others also visited Shujaat at the hospital and inquired after his health.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020